I have a 2005 Mazda 3, 2.3 AT with a stuck engine. The car was lightly wrecked and it broke the engine support and a screw on the outside of the cam cover (or front cover). We had to open the cover and the valve cover to do some welding to the cam cover.

The motor was covered, however, these two caps were off the motor for about 2 weeks. Yesterday, we put the two covers back on and when we tried to start the motor, it turned about 3 times and it sounds like it jammed up. After that, trying to turn the engine it just made one noise that sounds like the engine is stuck. Any advice?? I'm new to all this.

Needing Help in Central America
Patrick

 

Oooo. From this distance it's hard to tell, but have you tried reversing the engine by hand? Also, is there a possibility that water or coolant has entered acombustion chamber? Try removing the spark plugs and see if it turns then, and what might blow out the holes.
Either way, it's sounds like you may have more problems than you originally thought.
My advice: To avoid any more damage, proceed slowly until you find it.

 

Well, when we removed the spark plugs, the tips of two of them were bent. So, we think the valves may be bent or destroyed. Does that sound right??

 

If you bent a spark plug, that means the piston contacted it. I would suspect broken connecting rods, probably a broken crank.

I would suspect a ton is destroyed in that motor.

Tear it down to components, have the block and heads checked for cracks/damage. I'd be very surprised if any of the crank bearings are usable at this point based on your description.

 

Yeah, I have to agree. Anytime you find bent sp plugs or bent valves there's a lotta' heartache inside that you can't see.