Hi!
This may be too heavy for this type of forum, but I'd like to know if any mechanic knows if it's really dead, in which case it might not even make sense to take it to the dealer.
Lexus es300 - 1995 - 150,000 miles

Engine lost power - no noises or indications of problems before the end.
Engine quit - a bit of a flutter, but no clanking, overheating, or smoke.
Got it home (1/1/2 miles away)
Checked the timing belt - looks OK from the top.

When I try to start it, it just makes a THUNK. The engine does not turn over. When the timing belt went on my 4cyl Toyota, the engine still turned over, so this is scary.

Seemingly a BIG problem.
I got under the car and put a wrench on the crankshaft bolt
to see if the engine would turn over. It won't budge. Nothing turns.

My friends say this means death.

If there are any mechanics reading, is there any reason that a wrench on the crankshaft belt wouldn't get any movement unless the engine is dead?

If this didn't really mean death, I would take it to the dealer for the "diagnostic fee" check, but it wouldn't be worth it to pay a hundred or more for nothing.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

If this is the totally inappropriate forum for this, does anyone have advice as to forums where this type of question would be answered?
Thanks,
Jim

before trying to turn it over, remove the spark plugs to alleviate any compression in the engine.

if it still dont turn over it sounds like a broken conrod.

it could also be a broken crank or camshaft,

if you remove the plugs first..........

then try the test again removing the timing belt...this will then narrow the problem to either top end or bottom end

sounds quite terminal though, but engines can be repaired aslong as there is no colateral damage

sounds dumb but
have you checked the battery voltage
it might be a dead alternator
and the thunk is the starter ttrying to turn but can't
i just like to start witht the simplest first