Flywheel turns but motor doesn't!!! Help!!!

Stangbanger86 · 10-04-2003, 11:50 AM

Allright, I thought i had a starter problem on my car so I finally got around to changing it. Well when i cranked it, it made the same noise. Like the starter is spinning but the motor wasn't. I was pissed, it was late, and I had to be up early the next morning. So I went over in my head what it could be. I thought maybe the flywheel teeth were worn. So I got under the car, found a place to look at the flywheel and watched it turn as my buddy cranked it. What the hell can it be a cracked flywheel?? Well I'm ready to pull everything off and change it, could it be anything else!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!

Dark_5.0 · 10-04-2003, 12:16 PM

Congratulations you broke the center out of your flywheel.

I did the same thing 2 years ago.

Stangbanger86 · 10-04-2003, 12:35 PM

Thanks, I just put a clutch in 4 months ago now I gotta strip it all back off again! At least the bolts should be a little bit easier to break now. One more question, will it be allright to use my current clutch on a new flywheel, or will it be better to replace it so everything is smooth???

SaleenGTS · 10-04-2003, 03:26 PM

No, you can use your current clutch if it is still good. Make sure the fluwheel is good, you might have to have it turned...I did once with a new one.

Rev · 10-04-2003, 03:49 PM

Or heaven forbid, it could be a broken crank shaft (unlikely). But if the flywheel is turning and the snout of the crank is not..............then something in-between is broken.

Rev

Stangbanger86 · 10-04-2003, 06:48 PM

Well I just got done pulling everything off. The only thing I see is the inner face of the flywheel about half an inch is worn down. I hope this is my problem. If it is, how would that affect it???

b055 · 10-05-2003, 09:05 PM

can u take pics.. that would help...

Stangbanger86 · 10-05-2003, 09:10 PM

Nevermind about the flywheel, I looked on the internet for pics to compare them with mine and they looke the same. I couldn't figure out what it was. I just got done putting everthing back together and it's still doing the same thing. Help!!1

b055 · 10-05-2003, 10:31 PM

maybe a broke crank.. sounds bad..

Stangbanger86 · 10-05-2003, 11:45 PM

That's what I was thinking but we push started it the other day and it drove fine with no vibration. Also when I had the trans and clutch out the flywheel moved when we tuned the crank pulley??????? I'm lost!!

QuantumMotorsports · 10-05-2003, 11:57 PM

Why is it that you think the engine is not turning? Because the accesory belt doesn't turn?

Stangbanger86 · 10-06-2003, 12:02 AM

Normally when the crank turns the pulley and harmonic damper turn also, right???

Beanhead · 10-06-2003, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stangbanger86
Normally when the crank turns the pulley and harmonic damper turn also, right???

This I can answer definitively (just replaced my harmonic balancer on Friday), YES, when the crank turns, the pully and harmonic balancer MUST also turn.

Beanhead · 10-06-2003, 09:02 AM

Have someone watch under the hood while you try and start the car, and let us know what they see moving.

BilLster · 10-06-2003, 09:41 AM

maybe the starter isnt shimmed right and not engaging the flywhell proper so it isnt turning the flywheel fast enought to start it . the old one might of been missing the shim and when you replaced it you would of still been missing the shims.

how fast was the flywheel turning when you watched it ?

Is the battery fully charged?

hope you find the problem.

Stangbanger86 · 10-06-2003, 07:27 PM

When I'm looking at the engine when it's being cranked nothing moves, not even the slightest twitch. The flywheel is moving pretty fast when it is cranked, fast even that the crank and some accessories should move, which they aren't. I doubt its the shims for the starter because it was my original starter!! It had over 117,000 on it, that is alot of cranks. And it never skipped a beat before.

rwhite65 · 10-06-2003, 08:20 PM

ok, something is being missed here. If u push started the car, and it ran fine, then u can rule out the crank being broke. If the flywheel is moving but the front accesories are not, it has to be at the flywheel, somewhere. Does it sound like it usually did when the starter engaged?

Your original post says you changed the starter...did u rebuild the original or replace it with another unit? As many details as possible.
Ryan

Stangbanger86 · 10-06-2003, 09:51 PM

After I started to have the problem, I thought that the starter was bad so I replaced it with a new unit.

QuantumMotorsports · 10-06-2003, 09:57 PM

Hey guys, I think I've got an idea, honestly, it sounds to me like something isn't quite right here, but it's possible that the ring gear (which gets pressed onto the flywheel) is somehow either loose or broken and is spinning, but the flywheel isn't spinning. That way, you can push start the car, but the teeth turn around the flywheel and don't turn the flywheel or crank. What do you think?

Beanhead · 10-06-2003, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stangbanger86
Allright, I thought i had a starter problem on my car so I finally got around to changing it. Well when i cranked it, it made the same noise. Like the starter is spinning but the motor wasn't. I was pissed, it was late, and I had to be up early the next morning. So I went over in my head what it could be. I thought maybe the flywheel teeth were worn. So I got under the car, found a place to look at the flywheel and watched it turn as my buddy cranked it. What the hell can it be a cracked flywheel?? Well I'm ready to pull everything off and change it, could it be anything else!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, where exactly did you "find a place to look at the flywheel"?

10-04-2003, 11:50 AM	#1
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	Flywheel turns but motor doesn't!!! Help!!! Allright, I thought i had a starter problem on my car so I finally got around to changing it. Well when i cranked it, it made the same noise. Like the starter is spinning but the motor wasn't. I was pissed, it was late, and I had to be up early the next morning. So I went over in my head what it could be. I thought maybe the flywheel teeth were worn. So I got under the car, found a place to look at the flywheel and watched it turn as my buddy cranked it. What the hell can it be a cracked flywheel?? Well I'm ready to pull everything off and change it, could it be anything else!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!

10-04-2003, 12:16 PM	#2
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Congratulations you broke the center out of your flywheel. I did the same thing 2 years ago. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

10-04-2003, 03:26 PM	#4
SaleenGTS RICE taste like Chicken Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 687	No, you can use your current clutch if it is still good. Make sure the fluwheel is good, you might have to have it turned...I did once with a new one. __________________ Dustin 89 Saleen GT Sport Supercharged 306 Started her up 6/8/03 Old Motor Supercharged 347 516 rwhp 553 rwtq 11.249@126.83 1997 Honda CBR 1100XX Super Blackbird 162 hp

10-04-2003, 03:49 PM	#5
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Or heaven forbid...... Or heaven forbid, it could be a broken crank shaft (unlikely). But if the flywheel is turning and the snout of the crank is not..............then something in-between is broken. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

10-05-2003, 09:05 PM	#7
b055 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: philadelphia ms Posts: 180	can u take pics.. that would help... __________________ i got mustangs. do u?

10-04-2003, 12:35 PM	#3
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	Thanks, I just put a clutch in 4 months ago now I gotta strip it all back off again! At least the bolts should be a little bit easier to break now. One more question, will it be allright to use my current clutch on a new flywheel, or will it be better to replace it so everything is smooth???

10-04-2003, 06:48 PM	#6
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	Well I just got done pulling everything off. The only thing I see is the inner face of the flywheel about half an inch is worn down. I hope this is my problem. If it is, how would that affect it???

10-05-2003, 09:10 PM	#8
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	Nevermind about the flywheel, I looked on the internet for pics to compare them with mine and they looke the same. I couldn't figure out what it was. I just got done putting everthing back together and it's still doing the same thing. Help!!1

10-05-2003, 10:31 PM	#9
b055 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: philadelphia ms Posts: 180	maybe a broke crank.. sounds bad..

10-05-2003, 11:45 PM	#10
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	That's what I was thinking but we push started it the other day and it drove fine with no vibration. Also when I had the trans and clutch out the flywheel moved when we tuned the crank pulley??????? I'm lost!!

10-05-2003, 11:57 PM	#11
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Why is it that you think the engine is not turning? Because the accesory belt doesn't turn? __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

10-06-2003, 12:02 AM	#12
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	Normally when the crank turns the pulley and harmonic damper turn also, right???

10-06-2003, 09:02 AM	#14
Beanhead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Near Boston, MA Posts: 51	Have someone watch under the hood while you try and start the car, and let us know what they see moving. __________________ '94 Cobra '95 V6

10-06-2003, 09:41 AM	#15
BilLster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario canada Posts: 446	maybe the starter isnt shimmed right and not engaging the flywhell proper so it isnt turning the flywheel fast enought to start it . the old one might of been missing the shim and when you replaced it you would of still been missing the shims. how fast was the flywheel turning when you watched it ? Is the battery fully charged? hope you find the problem. __________________ 89 with 331 t3'/t4 hybrids. upr Suspention worked out finnaly . 9.89 144 mph .

10-06-2003, 07:27 PM	#16
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	When I'm looking at the engine when it's being cranked nothing moves, not even the slightest twitch. The flywheel is moving pretty fast when it is cranked, fast even that the crank and some accessories should move, which they aren't. I doubt its the shims for the starter because it was my original starter!! It had over 117,000 on it, that is alot of cranks. And it never skipped a beat before.

10-06-2003, 08:20 PM	#17
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	ok, something is being missed here. If u push started the car, and it ran fine, then u can rule out the crank being broke. If the flywheel is moving but the front accesories are not, it has to be at the flywheel, somewhere. Does it sound like it usually did when the starter engaged? Your original post says you changed the starter...did u rebuild the original or replace it with another unit? As many details as possible. Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

10-06-2003, 09:51 PM	#18
Stangbanger86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Slidell, La Posts: 31	After I started to have the problem, I thought that the starter was bad so I replaced it with a new unit.

10-06-2003, 09:57 PM	#19
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Hey guys, I think I've got an idea, honestly, it sounds to me like something isn't quite right here, but it's possible that the ring gear (which gets pressed onto the flywheel) is somehow either loose or broken and is spinning, but the flywheel isn't spinning. That way, you can push start the car, but the teeth turn around the flywheel and don't turn the flywheel or crank. What do you think? __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

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