Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 12/27/2005

Question
We have a 1998 buick regal 3800 V6 25th anniversary sedan with around 140K miles.  Car won't start, makes a big "click" noise.  Just recently had the coolant topped off and they said there must be a leak, drove approximately 60 miles(we live in the sticks) and the engine light started flashing, got home, and put 50/50 dexcool into the radiator and resevoir.  The car sat for a couple days and here we are with no starting, the resevoir is almost empty now.  Oil is fine.  Do you think it's seized?  Where do we start?  It will need to be towed at least 20 miles to get it to a garage and we want to know all we can before the money starts pouring out.  Thanks!  

Answer
My expert category is "Vehicles manufactured by American Motors Corporation" I know very little about Buicks, other than they are manufactured by General Motors Corporation. However, your problem sounds generic.
1) Turn on your headlights and crank the engine over. Does the engine turn over? Do the lights go dim or go out?
2) If they go dim, connect jumper cables to your car and a known good vehicle. Be sure there is not excessive corrosion on the battery terminals. If so, remove them and clean them. Does the engine turn over? Do the lights go out or go dim?
3) If you still hear nothing but a click, try removing the spark plugs. Using a large wrench or breaker bar, turn the crankshaft at the front vibration damper pulley bolt.(a large bolt holding the pulley to the crankshaft. It should turn over with a little effort.
If you cannot turn the engine over manually, it is probably siezed.
4) If you can easily turn the crankshaft, you probably have a starter or electrical problem.
Good luck.