Starter or Seized Engine?
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Starter or Seized Engine?
97 6cyl, 144k 4x2 stick--bought it from my sister sight unseen 
. She drove it from Tuscon to Mesa (about 250miles and parked it for me.
I get there today and try to start it...big chunking sound like the starter is engaging but the flywheel isnt moving. All electrical checks out.
On the off chance I checked the oil and there was none on the dipsstick.....
I try to grab the belt and push/pull it one way, won't budge at all.
Should I try and replace the starter, or at least take it off and see if I can move the flywheel?
Or should my next move be on the phone asking for my grand back? What do you guys think?
. She drove it from Tuscon to Mesa (about 250miles and parked it for me.I get there today and try to start it...big chunking sound like the starter is engaging but the flywheel isnt moving. All electrical checks out.
On the off chance I checked the oil and there was none on the dipsstick.....
I try to grab the belt and push/pull it one way, won't budge at all.
Should I try and replace the starter, or at least take it off and see if I can move the flywheel?
Or should my next move be on the phone asking for my grand back? What do you guys think?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
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From: La Crosse, Kansas
You won't be able to turn any engine with a serpentine belt with your bare hands just by grabbing onto the belt. The "chunking sound" may be the solenoid kicking the armature out but the starter may be drawing too many amps to be able to turn the motor over, in other words it's bad. Take your starter off and have an auto parts store bench test it for you.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
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This may be premature & trying to turn it over via the crank pulley & bench testing the starter is fine advice, but, this sounds terminal.
I'd ask: are there signs of a large recent (still dripping) oil leak, what's the deposition of the title & how tight are you w/your sister?
These are small motors asked to do a hard job, that demand a constant supply of fresh oil. I'd "phone" to get an idea if there was Zero Maintenance & chronic low contaminated oil & see if "sister" already spent the "grand". If its a nice rust free desert pickup its probably worth sticking a salvage motor in. Perhaps "sister" can split the "grand" w/you to soften the damage?
These are small motors asked to do a hard job, that demand a constant supply of fresh oil. I'd "phone" to get an idea if there was Zero Maintenance & chronic low contaminated oil & see if "sister" already spent the "grand". If its a nice rust free desert pickup its probably worth sticking a salvage motor in. Perhaps "sister" can split the "grand" w/you to soften the damage?
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New User
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didn't know that about the serp belt....newest car I have ever owned
If it wasn't 111 degrees right now I would take that damn starter off!
I will try the crank trick and see once it cools down out there.
Thanks
If it wasn't 111 degrees right now I would take that damn starter off!
I will try the crank trick and see once it cools down out there.
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,466
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
This is what i would do..
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
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From: St Louis
I'd follow this suggestion:
1) Remove serpentine belt and see if it cranks. A compressor clutch or alternator that is locked up will stop the engine cold (Don't ask how I found that out).
2) Still no crank: Breaker bar on the crank bolt. If it won't turn, go to #3.
3) Pull the plugs and check for a hydro-locked engine
Once you get that far, you'll have a good idea of how deep of trouble the engine is in.
Steve
1) Remove serpentine belt and see if it cranks. A compressor clutch or alternator that is locked up will stop the engine cold (Don't ask how I found that out).
2) Still no crank: Breaker bar on the crank bolt. If it won't turn, go to #3.
3) Pull the plugs and check for a hydro-locked engine
Once you get that far, you'll have a good idea of how deep of trouble the engine is in.
Steve
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