Alright guys, a year and a half ago i got a 35k milage b20b1 motor and swapped it in at school. Well i had cooling problems over the summer and it turned out to be my thermostat that i already replaced, it too was a bad one, and the car overheated and it melted my intake gasket. I actually assumed it was my head gasket, so i went ahead and pulled the motor, got new gaskets and finally put it back in a couple of days ago. I know, i know, i'm slow. Well i'm a full time student with a really low budget. I went to start her up for the first time since the pull and i came out with a problem. A problem that i have never come across before. It scares me so..
i've got good video quality of it, so if you could PLEASE look at it and lemme know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHIYQIOgbXw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L55-r-tXqJ4



but what's happening is when i go to start it you hear a grinding sound and i'm not sure if the motor is turning or not. I've had the starter tested and it's fine, i've looked at the teeth of the flywheel and it looks good. I've rotated the motor and it still didn't work.

 

Sounds like the starter is toast. It doesnt even sound like its turning the motor. If you had autozone test the starter I'd be inclined to toss out the window what ever they told you.

I did an experiment one time with their "test equiptment". I had them test a known bad alternator for me. They said it was good. I laughed and walked out.

There is a very short list of things that could make that sound at startup. Starter is at the top.

 

nah i watched them do it. it shot out and spun like crazy.

 

Fair enough. Pull your distributor cap off. See if you have the red dust. My bet is still starter though.

 

Alright i will, I'm still hopin someone will come around and just know the exact problem though... it's depressing...

 

I know you said you had it tested, but it sounds like the starter is bad. It doesn't seem loud enough to be grinding on the flywheel though. It sounds like it's not connecting with the flywheel teeth. You could try to reseat it and make sure that the two bolts are tight. Also, have a buddy look at the crankshaft pulley to see if the engine is turning over when you try to start it just to be sure.

 

Yeah thanks, i've thought about doin that just haven't yet. although i've taken the start out and put it back in like 4 times now and made sure everything was connected alright.

 

So any more ideas?

 

Sound like like the starter.

 

X2


Had pretty similar problem like that (a while back), Even thou I got It tested "and it looked like it worked good" Still replaced it and the car started right up.


my .02

 

alright it was my timing.