Advice: S1 Fulvia engine sticks

[julian67]

Hi

Yesterday I started my S1 Fulvia engine easily for about 3 minutes but was smokey. I put it down to cold weather & choke out

Today, it would not start. Oil is clean & level is normal.

I removed / checked starter motor - works fine. Then I put a screwdriver on the flywheel teeth and it moved back & forth.. Replaced the starter but it would not turn over.

Anyone any idea as to what it could be? Or what else I can check?

Many thanks

[lancialulu]

Take the plugs out and see if it turns over.

[julian67]

Mechanic just called to say when he removed the plugs, no 2 plugs was all smashed up and said something is stuck between the piston & sleeve. 

Could it be a broken ring?

He's going to remove the head tomorrow.

[LCR1967]

It could be, but I doubt it. The 1st and 2nd rings are solid, the 3rd is the oil scraper, which does include a mesh type of centre section. Irrespective of what it might be, this has all the hall marks of an engine out and rebuild job. Smashed up plugs is never a good sign.

[lancialulu]

Probably a dropped valve. Or valve head snapped off. This is not as rare as you think on engines that have been standing.

[julian67]

Thanks Tim. Will know today as mechanic is removing the head.