This is going to be detailed so beware!
In Nevada on the 318 going towards Ely last night. I pull over on the shoulder and felt a bump. Got out of my truck to see what happened and noticed fluid leaking.
My oil pan was punctured by the metal reflector signs. After seeing that, my engine turned off. I did not attempt to turn the engine back on as the oil was leaking.
There was no cellphone service there and it’s around 10pm. After putting my triangles out and grabbing something to defend myself from wild animals I start walking.
A Good Samaritan stops and asks if I’m ok.
I explain my situation and ask him for a ride to a hotel. We try a couple of towns: Alamo, and Lund. Either sold out or were closed. He was going toward Ely and offered to drop me off there. Stayed at the motel 6 and next morning started calling roadside. Settled on a decent one-not the most experienced one out of Las Vegas.
I was able to get a cab out of Ely to my truck near mile marker 13 by Hiko.
Mechanic came with oil pan and oil and went to work. After about 4 hrs I was ready to start the truck.
Truck would not start. You can hear the starter clicking but no cranking whatsoever. He said I have engine problems.
I said might be the batteries so we connected the cables. Nothing. He tested the batteries and they read 12.9 volts.
I said what about priming the truck he said not needed as we didn’t touch fuel system.
I said what about air… he had me fan the brakes earlier in the day because he was going to jack the truck up, he said doesn’t matter as long as I’m in neutral.
So we started today driving towards Las Vegas so I can get a hotel. He called his boss and his boss gave him instructions on how he can see if he can manually turn the engine with some flathead screw drivers. So we went back to the truck and still no luck and he said once again that my engine is locked.
I’m now in a Las Vegas hotel trying to figure out my best options. My truck has a small oversize load on it that would need to get repowered some how and that won’t happen until Monday. In the mean time:
Could my engine have been locked? Could some other wire or thing have something to do with this issue of metal stake on the shoulder? please see attached photos of metal stake, my oil pan and even the plastic part of the oil pump that was damaged.
Engine Locked Need Help
Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by AFC, Aug 3, 2024.
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Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this. -
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I really don’t want to call a wrecker, I really don’t want to file an insurance claim, I really don’t want to call the police and get a report… but these are the only options I see that I have coming my way.
I am leased on and owe about 35k on the truck, trailer is paid off. Truck has 640k miles on it. Insurance has a $2500 deductible. I will be filing a claim through NDOT but not if I have to call the wrecker. That would take too long for me to get reimbursed and that’s if Ndot even approved my claim. The metal reflector was already bent to the ground and damaged as you can see I have no damage to my bumper. I am running out of cash to through at this situation. -
What motor?
Those plastic oil pans don't hold up like the metal ones.
Maybe you have a piece of post stuck in the teeth of flywheel.
Good luck.Lane=addict, Flat Earth Trucker, AFC and 1 other person Thank this. -
I would try to bar the engine over from the crankshaft if you can't manually turn the engine over from the crankshaft. You have answered the question that your engine is locked up. The engine protection kicked in as soon as your oil level dropped. It wouldn't seem the engine would seize up in that short of time

. I'm surprised the mechanic didn't have a ratchet to turn the engine over from the crankshaft. I never tried the screwdriver method
. If it is you are going to have to come up with a new plan. The most cost effective to get back home & fix your truck. You will need to file that claim, this is going to be expensive (if engine is seized). All the best for in this hard time
Lane=addict, Siinman, AFC and 1 other person Thank this. -
Who worked on or was maintaining this truck before this happened? Stuff rolls downhill.Lane=addict, Siinman and Rideandrepair Thank this.
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No way that engine locked up just idling and it shut down in protection mode. And I’ve never seen a 15 liter engine rolled over with a screwdriver. Get a breaker bar with a socket and roll it over on the crank dampener.
Ive seen engines under load lose the oil pump (drive gear walks off shaft on N14 iykyk)
And the engines fine.broke down plumber, Lane=addict, Siinman and 7 others Thank this. -
Came across a truck that ran on its side. The ECM download revealed the truck ran on its side with no oil pressure for over 30 seconds before engine protection shut it down. It wasn't seized.
Also dealt with a zoom boom someone mistakingly forgot to put a plug in an oil galley when installing a new engine. It ran for over 10 minutes just on splash lube from the crank before seizing up.
I bet your truck, if automatic, is jammed into gear. It can happen if the truck is shut off in gear with torque on the driveline.broke down plumber, Lane=addict, Siinman and 4 others Thank this. -
What do mean you're going to file a claim with NDOT. You don't think they're going pay for this do you?
Lane=addict, Siinman, blairandgretchen and 2 others Thank this. -
Oh ya they will,and Wayne Newton will personally sign the check.

Siinman, Feedman, blairandgretchen and 2 others Thank this.
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