Engine does not crank, it just makes a grinding sound?

MELISSA TAYLOR

MEMBER
1993 FORD ESCORT
1.9L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

So, I inherited the vehicle listed above, wagon from my grandma. It's 30 years old but had 45,000 on it when I got it. I have put 5,000 miles on it in the 8 months I've had it. I moved it from garage life to outside on a dirt/ gravel road. At least two years before I hit it started hesitating when she started it. You pretty much had to crank it three times almost every time it was started. Now she barely drove as you can see by the miles. So, I inherited this issue. So, it started feeling a little rougher when I was cranking it over. Probably the last week it's been a little rougher. Also, I've been having an issue with it getting hot. Not overheating but getting hot enough that I had to monitor it. I replaced the thermostat and was having to refill the antifreeze not just fill it after it was flushed. Still using more antifreeze than should. So, I was sick last week, and my roommate took the kids to school in it. When I went to use my car again it wouldn't start. Just a grinding sound as I tried to start it. Sounds like it wants to kick over but doesn't. I thought it must be the starter without checking if it was the problem first replaced it. Figured it's been giving people a hard time for about three years now. So, the car is still not starting. Making the same grinding sound but trying harder to kick over because I charged the battery all the way up first. What do you guys think? Oh, by the way I did check the oil to see if it was bad from friend driving it.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Hi,

If you are hearing a grinding sound even with the new starter, either the starter isn't fully mounted, or the flywheel has teeth missing.

Is it possible for you to record it cranking and upload it so I can hear what it's doing?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 9:04 PM

MELISSA TAYLOR

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4 POSTS

Yeah, I don't have a problem taking a recording I just have to figure out how to do it. The grinding sound was the same with the old and the new starter and the old one looked okay when I checked it out. No uneven wear on it at all it seemed. The more I look around under the hood the more I'm thinking when my friend took my car, she overheated it, and I was afraid the grinding was the motor kind of locked up or something. Like I said the oil still looks clear. My grandma kept this car clean as a whistle and the metal plate that covers the top of the motor was kind of blackened and there is oil down the front of the motor like maybe the pressure blew the plug that's more like a cork near the right side of the front of the motor. Is that a possibility? I wdfon't want to do more damage to it if I kept trying to start it.

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Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 AT 5:30 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

If you suspect the engine could be locked, place a socket on the crankshaft pulley center bolt and use a breaker bar, see if you can turn the engine by hand.

In most cases, if the engine is locked, you will get one click from the starter and nothing more. That is because the starter engages but can't turn the engine.

Have you removed the starter and inspected the flex plate to make sure there are no damaged teeth or evidence of the starter drive gear hitting it?

Let me know. Also, I hope you have a good Thanksgiving.

Take care,

Joe

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Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 AT 7:42 PM

MELISSA TAYLOR

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you, I had a good Thanksgiving. I hope you did also. Sorry for the delay in answering you, I had to make sure grandma had no knowledge of her car not being perfect so no working on it over the holiday.
When I removed the starter there did not look like there was any uneven ware on it. That and the fact that the sound and the way it behaved was the same made me change the starters back out and take the new one back. I figured if the old one was doing its job why be out the money. The only difference in attempts to start it was that it tried harder with a fully charged battery but still didn't turn over.
I'm going to say that it's not locked up because the description of how to test it kind of debunked that for me. It was definitely cranking more than one click. Also, I do not think I heard the clicking sound. I'm going to go out now and try to figure out how to record the sound and upload it. Hopefully rather fast. If I can figure out how to do it. Thanks so much for your help! Get right back with the sound bite!

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Monday, November 28th, 2022 AT 11:55 AM

MELISSA TAYLOR

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, so while I'm trying it the fuel cutout light is lit up in the dash but I'm not sure if that matters since it didn't actually start. Also, I tried to start it twice to make sure I actually knew how to take a video and before the second try I checked the fluids again and the oil still looks fine, and the radiator's reservoir was full, but the radiator was not. I had the full-strength coolant, so I mixed it with water in smaller batches in another bottle and think it probably took a gallon of liquid total before the second try. After the second try I heard the gurgling sounds of the motor sucking it up. I honestly can't remember if I tried again after that. I did make a video and I'm trying to upload it but it's having a hard time because my signal is junk out here in the woods.