Broken Car...I need help please

[chimick]

I have a 1991 Escort and Well my car ran and now it wont... and after much tinkering it still wont start. I first thought it was the starter so i put a new one in and a new battery. i also tried to turn the crankshaft because a friend thought the engine might be seized and it will turn about 7/8 of a turn until it stops with a clunk noise. I have no idea what i am getting into and i need some ideas

[Markb873]

I hope you didn't slip time and the clunk is a valve making contact with a piston. I'd start there. I had an old Geo go that way.

[chimick]

My car was making a clicking noise before it died. Is this a symptom of the valve piston thing?

[Markb873]

When mine went it gave no warning, in otherwords it slipped right then and there. There is defenatly something hitting something, I'm hoping it's timing but am afraid it's something like a rod or valve. Will the engine rotate at all with the starter? Or does it click then stop? When my Geo slipped time, the starter was able to pull the timing belt around the sproket when the piston would hit the valve. The starter would turn but it sounded like a sick donkey.

-Mark

[mightymoose_22]

I agree... it sounds like you need to pull that head off and have a look. This sounds pretty scary... I wouldn't want to be the one to mess with it :P

[chimick]

When i try to start my car i hear the starter trying to engage and i hear the fuel pump and it feels like the starter shudders a bit trying to turn the flywheel. No sick donkey noises and no starting and i dont think the starter can turn the flywheel at all

[mightymoose_22]

Pull your spark plugs out and try to turn the engine over by hand using a ratchet on the crankshaft. If it won't go or if you encounter any resistance at all, then you need to pull the head.

I believe you said you already replaced the starter, so I doubt that is your problem, and I am sure you would have noticed any damage to the flywheel at the time. A damaged flywheel would give different symptoms anyway.

The shuddering is most likely happening because something is physically preventing the starter from doing its job.

[KimMG]

I think you dropped a valve or a valve seat and it is locking up the motor.
You're going to have to remove the head.

[Markb873]

I agree Kim, Time to pull the head and see.