Car died and won't start.

[rubbersidedown]

A friend of mine was driving his GSX over to a friend's house today to work on it and on the way the car just suddenly stalled. Then when he went to try and start it back up all that happened was his starter would spin. The engine wouldn't rotate, turn over, whatever. The only sound was the starter and it just sounded like it was spinning freely. Anyone know what's going on?

 

[SrKegler]

Sounds like the bendix isn't engaging in the starter. Another remote possibility is you may have some teeth off the flywheel where the engine stopped. You could try manually turning the engine over a little and see if the starter engages.

 

[i'm boosted]

Another reason why the starter would spin freely is if there is no compression. The car may have jump timing. Do a compression test if all else fails.

 

[STECARS]

engine ceazed? froze ?

 

[BUCK]

Jumped Timing Belt - bent Valves.

 

[rubbersidedown]

timing belt was the first thing we checked so i'm guessing the starter is f'd.

 

[BUCK]

rubberside: The engine wouldn't rotate, turn over, whatever.

What were you looking at when you determined the Engine wasn't "turning over" - Describe how you "checked" the Timing Belt.

 

[rubbersidedown]

The car has already been taken apart and the starter has been replaced, it works. The timing belt was "checked" by taking off the belt covers and pulling out the inside of the fender well and then the tensioner was checked and we eyeballed to see if the crank and cam marks were all in the correct positions in relation to eachother. Some one may correct me that there is a better/proper way to "check" the timing belt but tools and time was limited seeing as how we were doing this where the car was broken down at. Also, compression should be absolutely near perfect cause the entire engine was freshly rebuilt.
I appreciate everyone help. Thanks.