Break Down...HELP

[cody_stl]

Ok my friends car is a 90 Teg gs i believe...the engine if i am not mistaken is a b18a1. It has 170,000 on it and the other day when he first started it up and came to work he said it was almost like it was missing and running on three cylinders.Then when he went to lunch he heard a kinda SNAP sound and it died. New battery.Wont start.When you crank the engine manually it gets hard to rotate at a certain point,and the starter can barely turn it over.I dont know if these engines are known to go out...if its an internal component snap,or maybe a bad starter.Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[superbluecivicsi]

power? fuel? spark? timing?

[kicker1_solo]

Originally Posted by superbluecivicsi

power? fuel? spark? timing?

easy now, dont confuse him...

[TurboGSR96]

"he heard a kinda SNAP sound and it died. New battery.Wont start.When you crank the engine manually it gets hard to rotate at a certain point,and the starter can barely turn it over."

Sounds to me like the engine seized.......Did you two happen to check the oil? If you guys know what oil looks like inspect the oil on the dipstick and see if you see any metal shavings.

[eclipser2001]

how often was the oil changed? did he run his car hard alot? im no mechanic, but sounds like the cylinders are seiged, like what turbogsr96 said.

[superbluecivicsi]

it cranks hard with the spark plugs still in?..................try pulling the spark plugs out then do it again.

so when you start the engine with key on the "ON" position, it cranks...................? slow? fast?

slow = check power. you said new battery, well, how are the connections?

fast = time to check fuel, spark, and timing.

[ridge_runner]

a snap?? i would check everything like these people said... it should still run with a spun bearing or snapped rod it would just make ALOT of noise... if it gets hard to turn with a wrench then the motors done

[shadow2154]

I work for a Acura Dealership.

Remove the Valve cover and then try and crank the engine. If nothing is moving up top then the Timing Belt is snapped. If it is...then I sudgest that you remove the Top end off and see if the pistons are turning. But first make you that your getting fuel, air, spark. A good way of checking for spark is to put a screwdriver into one of the wires, hold it close to metal and see if it arcs when someone turns the key.

[cody_stl]

Ummmmm...he says he thinks he found out what it is.He said two things(rocker arms or lobe or sumpthin)underneath the valve cover on the valve train have snapped.Can remember exactly what it is he said.At first he thought it jumped timing,now he found this.The first thing we thought was the engine seized, but i dont think this engine is known for seizing at only 170k. Yes the oil has been changed MORE than regularly seeing how he is managment at Valvoline and i work under him. Kinda disappointing that he may be able to fix it.lol.He said if it was a crank or rods or the pistons he wouldnt mess with it and was gonna give it away....ME ME ME...i need an engine for my 4g Civic Hatch.
Thanks for the suggestions guys

[TurboGSR96]

Originally Posted by shadow2154

I work for a Acura Dealership.

Remove the Valve cover and then try and crank the engine. If nothing is moving up top then the Timing Belt is snapped. If it is...then I sudgest that you remove the Top end off and see if the pistons are turning. But first make you that your getting fuel, air, spark. A good way of checking for spark is to put a screwdriver into one of the wires, hold it close to metal and see if it arcs when someone turns the key.

Shadow, I wouldnt recommend you telling them to stick a screwdriver into anything involving an electrical spark (you do it for a living....not them).

I would say the best thing is to take it to a Mechanic (not a hillybillie!) and let them check it out. It is gonna have to get there anyways it sounds like so I wouldnt mess with it too much yourselves.