2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8L won't start after spark plugs were changed

[HaroldW]

I had an oil change and got my spark plugs changed at 94,025 miles. My mechanic said the car cranked up fine after he finished. Then the next morning the car would not start...just made a click sound. I also smelled a strong burning plastic odor and saw smoke from the right side under the hood. I tried jumping it off, but no luck. My mechanic came back by and tried to turn the engine with a long wrench in front and it would turn counterclockwise and then back to the spot clockwise. It would not turn fully around. He indicates a piston or valve could have mis-fired and may be stuck. The quote to fix it is over $4,000. Is there anything through the process of the maintenance work that could have created the problem or is it completely coincidental? I am at a loss of what to do and cannot afford to have him rebuild it. I can locate a used one at Pull-A-Part in Nashville and they will pull the engine from the salvaged car for $150 and the engine is $300 with a 30day warranty. I am not sure what labor costs will be for removing the old engine in my car and replacing it with the one from Pull-A-Part, but I have asked my mobile mechanic for a quote on that labor. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. that you can offer, will be greatly appreciated!

 

[jep604]

I had an oil change and got my spark plugs changed at 94,025 miles. My mechanic said the car cranked up fine after he finished. Then the next morning the car would not start...just made a click sound. I also smelled a strong burning plastic odor and saw smoke from the right side under the hood. I tried jumping it off, but no luck. My mechanic came back by and tried to turn the engine with a long wrench in front and it would turn counterclockwise and then back to the spot clockwise. It would not turn fully around. He indicates a piston or valve could have mis-fired and may be stuck. The quote to fix it is over $4,000. Is there anything through the process of the maintenance work that could have created the problem or is it completely coincidental? I am at a loss of what to do and cannot afford to have him rebuild it. I can locate a used one at Pull-A-Part in Nashville and they will pull the engine from the salvaged car for $150 and the engine is $300 with a 30day warranty. I am not sure what labor costs will be for removing the old engine in my car and replacing it with the one from Pull-A-Part, but I have asked my mobile mechanic for a quote on that labor. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. that you can offer, will be greatly appreciated!

No start after oil change and spark plug change doesn’t make sense to me. There has to be more to this story, get a second opinion. I def wouldn’t use the same mechanic if you change engine.

 

[HaroldW]

No start after oil change and spark plug change doesn’t make sense to me. There has to be more to this story, get a second opinion. I def wouldn’t use the same mechanic if you change engine.

Thank you jep604 for your advice! You seem extremely wise!

 

[jep604]

Thank you jep604 for your advice! You seem extremely wise!

Thanks. What comes to mind is the cliche: “Burn me once…shame on You / Burn me twice…shame on Me”.

 

[kevgen]

Thank you jep604 for your advice! You seem extremely wise!

Another option is to do it yourself. It's MUCH easier on a RWD car than it is on a FWD car. After hearing various dealer quotes for plugs on my 4.6, I decided to do it myself. Sorry for your engine situation, please share the outcome.