New guy with frozen 225

[mako230]

Hello I have a 225 that I just picked up and installed on the boat. The engine is a 2000 ficht engine. Here is the issue I was turning it over and was just checkin things out without firing it up. The engine cranked around a few times and locked up solid no funny noise or anything just stopped and is completely stuck and will not move at all. The engine seems like something jammed up inside it only rotated about a dozen revolutions before this happened any ideas what might have happened and where to look. Thanks.

[Joe Reeves]

When you say picked up.... unless that thing was a gift, I suggest you take it back where you got it. I know nothing about a "Ficht" engine... BUT... I'm well versed in why engines lock up... blown piston, lower unit trouble, etc. Hopefully another member on this site or elsewhere can give you better news.

[mako230]

I work on allot of engines but not many outboards so this is a learning experience. The way it locked up was very odd. it was only turning over with the starter and there were no odd noises or anything it just quit turning and is very much locked. I cant break it with a breaker bar at all. I guess I will pull the power head and go from there.

[Joe Reeves]

A better approach would be to remove the lower unit first (less work) to see if the lower unit is at fault (jammed driveshaft) or if indeed the fault is with the powerhead.

Also... should the problem prove to be with the powerhead, first remove the flywheel to see if possibly something has let loose in that area. Wish you luck!

[mako230]

Thanks I have already removed the flywheel and all looks normal.

[mako230]

Not looking good I removed the lower unit and its still locked. I have seen my share of locked engines and for the amount of force that a starter can put on the engine I cant see how this could be so jammed up. There was nothing unusual when cranking the engine it just stopped and that was it.

[Joe Reeves]

Locked up in such a manner that it can't be turned in either direction? If so, next move is to remove the cylinder heads for a look see?

[Solarman]

Think i would pull flywheel. Imo if anything came loose that can wedge it tight, that would be my first look. Besides, if you have to go deeper into it, you'll need to have that off too.

Good luck.

[jetblue319]

try removing plugs and inspect the cylinders as best as possible. use a long metal probe to inspect for fallen objects into cylinder. i had a 86 johnson 150 that was seized, would not move even with a long breaker bar on flywheel nut . almost stripped it. Finally, after breaking it down it moved the. the cylinders walls were not damaged, the rings were rusted to the walls. i have enclosed some photos

[jetblue319]

here are the pistons and rods

[mako230]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have decided to move to another project that I can finsh faster than this one. When I figure this out I will post the results. Thanks again.