Hi, what I thought was a starter problem seems to be a seized engine in my 2011 XLT 4.0 4WD 196,000 miles. The truck is used locally, short trips, never overheated, oil is fine...at first I thought the battery was weak as the starter would engage but not crank the engine. I changed the battery, thinking it was weak. I didn't help..but I tried it the next day and It started..I drove it around and everything was fine..no weird noises, no over heating. About a week later, same thing... no crank. I got a new starter which my local mechanic installed....and nothing changed. He said he tried to turn the engine with a three foot breaker bar and couldn't budge it (Spark plugs in). He thinks the engine is seized..but he can't handle the repair//replacement. Does anyone have any experience with a rebuilder/mechanic in the Eastern Long Island area (North Fork or South Fork) ??

Thanks

 

So my first mechanic didn't figure out that the AC compressor was frozen. I tried cranking the engine with another mechanic ..it seemed like it wanted to turn and then the Serpentine belt snapped and the engine started right up. The compressor had been intermittent. I never realized it could stop the engine from cranking.