Car clicks, doesn't start, engine won't turn. Help?
Discussion
sgtBerbatov said:
Well in fairness I'm not a pro mechanic either so I'm up for sucking any eggs 
I can't think of anything I could've left in there, that's the thing. I've no bolts left over and I've no places missing a bolt.
With the flywheel I used the original bolts, anything that came off went back on basically. Only thing I can think of that could be causing it might be the sheet of metal that goes between the engine block and the gearbox. But, again, that only goes on one way and it's on the right way.
I'm just going to have to drop the gearbox and see what's up.
Any difficulty lining up the spigot bearing? If that didn't go in, you might have crushed the bearing and now have the crank jammed endways against the block.I can't think of anything I could've left in there, that's the thing. I've no bolts left over and I've no places missing a bolt.
With the flywheel I used the original bolts, anything that came off went back on basically. Only thing I can think of that could be causing it might be the sheet of metal that goes between the engine block and the gearbox. But, again, that only goes on one way and it's on the right way.
I'm just going to have to drop the gearbox and see what's up.
GreenV8S said:
sgtBerbatov said:
Well in fairness I'm not a pro mechanic either so I'm up for sucking any eggs
I can't think of anything I could've left in there, that's the thing. I've no bolts left over and I've no places missing a bolt.
With the flywheel I used the original bolts, anything that came off went back on basically. Only thing I can think of that could be causing it might be the sheet of metal that goes between the engine block and the gearbox. But, again, that only goes on one way and it's on the right way.
I'm just going to have to drop the gearbox and see what's up.
Any difficulty lining up the spigot bearing? If that didn't go in, you might have crushed the bearing and now have the crank jammed endways against the block.I can't think of anything I could've left in there, that's the thing. I've no bolts left over and I've no places missing a bolt.
With the flywheel I used the original bolts, anything that came off went back on basically. Only thing I can think of that could be causing it might be the sheet of metal that goes between the engine block and the gearbox. But, again, that only goes on one way and it's on the right way.
I'm just going to have to drop the gearbox and see what's up.
If that is the case, would I have likely damaged anything to the crank? Or will I be alright just realigning the gearbox again?
sgtBerbatov said:
Well yeah, it was quite difficult to get the gearbox back on to the engine, but I thought it might have been normal really as it was difficult the first time I changed the gearbox. However, the first time I did it I didn't have these issues that's why I didn't think anything about it.
If that is the case, would I have likely damaged anything to the crank? Or will I be alright just realigning the gearbox again?
If the spigot bearing is damaged, you'll need to replace it. Seems unlikely that it would damage anything else, but you'll need to dismantle until you find the problem. On the bright side, if it was that then the engine would free up as you loosen the bell housing bolts so you will get supporting evidence pretty quickly.If that is the case, would I have likely damaged anything to the crank? Or will I be alright just realigning the gearbox again?
I thought I'd give an update about this.
I started loosening the bolts on the gearbox and with every bolt removed I tried to turn the engine by hand. No joy - until I took the starter motor off. The engine starts to move - brilliant, in a way.
The one thing I noticed was that when I took the starter off there was a "tang" sound. Can't really describe it, but when I put my finger in to where the starter goes, the metal plate between the gearbox and engine seems to have slipped down. I looked at the starter and I can see marks on the tip, so I am guessing that when I put the starter motor back in, the plate is pushing the motor down on to the flywheel causing it to jam.
So yeah, nothing wrong with the clutch or gearbox, it's the starter motor being in the wrong place. So tomorrow now, hopefully, I'll sort out the plate one way or the other.
I started loosening the bolts on the gearbox and with every bolt removed I tried to turn the engine by hand. No joy - until I took the starter motor off. The engine starts to move - brilliant, in a way.
The one thing I noticed was that when I took the starter off there was a "tang" sound. Can't really describe it, but when I put my finger in to where the starter goes, the metal plate between the gearbox and engine seems to have slipped down. I looked at the starter and I can see marks on the tip, so I am guessing that when I put the starter motor back in, the plate is pushing the motor down on to the flywheel causing it to jam.
So yeah, nothing wrong with the clutch or gearbox, it's the starter motor being in the wrong place. So tomorrow now, hopefully, I'll sort out the plate one way or the other.
Final update on this.
I spent the whole of bank holiday Monday dropping the gearbox out, the clutch and flywheel, and got to the plate. It's held in with one 10mm nut, and I loosened it. I fitted a gearbox bolt on to the engine to make sure the plate was aligned properly, tightened the screw, and in good ol' Haynes' manual tradition - refitting was the reversal of removal.
Fitted a lot of the bits back on, while checking to make sure the engine could turn by hand. Threw the stater back on, the engine could still move, so I turned the car on and it spluttered back to life! Still got driveshafts and other bits to fit before it goes for it's MOT but it's starting now and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for the help guys!
I spent the whole of bank holiday Monday dropping the gearbox out, the clutch and flywheel, and got to the plate. It's held in with one 10mm nut, and I loosened it. I fitted a gearbox bolt on to the engine to make sure the plate was aligned properly, tightened the screw, and in good ol' Haynes' manual tradition - refitting was the reversal of removal.
Fitted a lot of the bits back on, while checking to make sure the engine could turn by hand. Threw the stater back on, the engine could still move, so I turned the car on and it spluttered back to life! Still got driveshafts and other bits to fit before it goes for it's MOT but it's starting now and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for the help guys!
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