Engine binding

[VolsFan]

So the car leaves me stranded a couple of days ago. Low coolant light comes on, then service engine soon, then it dies. No pops, bangs or explosions. It threw a P0306 code "misfire cylinder 6". The motor cranks to a set point and stops. I can hand turn the crank back with a breaker bar to that set point and no further. Pulled the valve covers, all the rockers, springs and valves seem to be ok. Oil isn't milky or smell of fuel. Everything moves with the handturn of the crank, so I don't think its a timing chain issue. I plan on dropping the oil pan tomorrow night to check crank and rods. Just thought I would see if anyone had any ideas before jump in. Thanks

Failed to included that it is a 1998 3.8 N/A 178,000 miles.

[Pittman06]

sounds like a chipped piston maybe, that cylinder is hitting top on that chip and stopping. I'd pull the heads before i would pull the pan. The pans a huge ***** to pull and the heads are cake and will tell you more

[minichopper6hp]

You pretty much threw a rod. It happens. Sorry.

[Deimos]

what if the plastic intake cracked too bad and filled cylinders with coolant and hydrolocked the engine???

[Pittman06]

it wouldn't turn over to a point and stop, a hydro lock is normally a bent rod and most of the time a full on lock

[VolsFan]

problem solved. dropped a valve. Thanks to everyone who helped trouble shoot.