Corsica nightmare

[rockwoodguy]

I have a 1990 Corsica that has been operating okay until recently.
Now, it's a nightmare. After replacing the battery, the alternator, the flywheel, the spark plugs, the fuel filter and the starter (four times) once again, it died out today. In the past, it would die out with no warning after I parked it, shut off the engine, and then later tried to re-start.
Today, when I tried to re-start (I only had the engine off for about two minutes before re-starting), I heard--for the first time-- a grind or clang which has something to do with the flywheel, I assume. Then, it died. After literally pounding my head against the window, I called for another tow.
It seems to me after four starters have already been installed, that the problem is somehow related to the starter and the flywheel -perhaps one or both improperly installed? The mechanics-who have a good repuation in this town- have told me they don't understand this, they've never gone through this with a car before, etc. They obviously are missing something specific regarding this make and model of Chevrolet in terms of making a permanant repair. What are they mssing or not doing or doing wrong? Please advise. I feel like I'm going to flip out.

[jsgold]

Can't imagine what is going on. This is beyond anything I have dealt with on my Corsica or any other GM i have owned The only thing that comes to mind are whether the mechanics are using shims to properly space the starter from the flywheel. Many times GM starters require shims or the teeth either are too close to the flywheel and bind, or, spaced too far and make noises and possibly strip. If voltage is under 9 volts during cranking many of these rebuilt starters will FAIL also. You may have a charging problem, battery problem, cable problem. This is pointed out in the instructions with a lot of starters. Be sure of your voltage when cranking. A battery can show 12-13 volts when sitting, but, when cranking the voltage can drop if a problem.

[rockwoodguy]

Originally Posted by jsgold

Can't imagine what is going on. This is beyond anything I have dealt with on my Corsica or any other GM i have owned The only thing that comes to mind are whether the mechanics are using shims to properly space the starter from the flywheel. Many times GM starters require shims or the teeth either are too close to the flywheel and bind, or, spaced too far and make noises and possibly strip. If voltage is under 9 volts during cranking many of these rebuilt starters will FAIL also. You may have a charging problem, battery problem, cable problem. This is pointed out in the instructions with a lot of starters. Be sure of your voltage when cranking. A battery can show 12-13 volts when sitting, but, when cranking the voltage can drop if a problem.

Thanks, JS. Per my mechanic he has been using the shim. This time around he took the flywheel apart and could find no cracks and no other problem with it.The battery is brand-new. Still, the fact that I heard that "clang" before it died (although I never heard any clang during prior deaths) at least tells me it must have had SOMETHING to do with the flywheel. The car is "ready" but I dread picking it up. Deja vu. Trip # 5.

BTW, my mechanic told me the flywheel has 140 (or 141) teeth. It's my understanding only a 153 or 168 tooth flywheel should be used on a Corsica. That couldn't possibly make a difference- to the extent of causnig all this trouble. Or could it? Thanks again.

[jsgold]

Advance Auto can run a check using a special tool that hooks to your battery and simulates a drain on battery, but that only checks the battery itself. It tests volts and the capacity of the battery. You would need a voltage tester hooked to battery and someone would have to watch when cranking over. If the battery IS bad, or, if the starter is in a jam somehow, the voltage should drop from 12-13 volts to 9-11 volts. Maybe the shop you are using has a poor supplier of starters. Most are rebuilt and perhaps these are poor quality. Only ideas I can come up with.