Motor won't turn over by hand with plugs out..

[jc_is_the_man]

I recently purchased a 95 TSI with 6 bolt swap. The wiring was pretty hacked and car was not in runnign condition. Claim was new motor, etc. I pulled the valve cover off the head was extremely clean. All looked good from there and I bought this knowing it would be a project. I finally got it wired to crank but it doesn't sound strong cranking, almost like something was rubbing.
I then pulled the timing belt cover off and saw grooves in it from the tensioner pulley and figured it was from that. I put the belts back on, went to crank it (almost positively knowing it was the pulley at fault and with the cover off this would confirm that I figured) and same deal, it didn't want to turn over and sounded sluggish. So I pulled the belts off and and pulled the spark plugs because I read it should spin very easily and it was far from that. I could get it to spin but I needed a good amount of force on a 1/2" wrench.

Are these signs of internal damage? or any suggestions to what my next step should be?

Thanks John

 

[ilco187]

did you get a starter for a 1g 6 bolt, the 2g 7 bolt might be different.

 

[LunarEclips]

Is the flywheel aftermarket?

 

[jc_is_the_man]

check to make sure its the right starter, sounds like you may have the wrong starter, is it the same starter for both the auto and 5speed cars?

Its a correct manual starter for all. All manual starters from 90-99 are the same.

did you get a starter for a 1g 6 bolt, the 2g 7 bolt might be different.

As stated above.

Is the flywheel aftermarket?

Not sure. But it doesn't look like it when I remove the dust cover.

same problem I have. what i did was spray penetrating oil into the spark plug holes and let it sit. then I put some motor oil in the cyliners(half cap full) just to lubricate it enough without causing hydrolock. still, no crank over. timing is dead on. so I go to spin the motor by hand, nothing. but turning it backwards half a turn worked. I did that a few times and now my motor turns over with the starter slowly not powerfully. and only with the plugs out or it cant turn over. im thinking about pulling the head........ suggestions?

Like I said I was haveing the same problem. I also sprayed some lubrication in the cylinder walls but before I pulled the starter to check. But with the starter out it spins very easily.


*Update*- I ended up replacing the starter, and it defiantely turns the motor alot better now. But it still doesn't sound how it should while cranking. There is sitll a slight grinding noise and with this new starter in, it still wont budge the motor. If anything when I try putting pressure on it, it will go slightly clockwise but then spin counter clockwise after I take off pressure.

 

[BogusSVO]

well it still sounds like the starter is binding up.... On most fords there is a "block plate" that fits between the engine and trans, I do not know fore sure, but i want to say the 4G63 is supposed to have one. it would be a thin plate that helps align the starter. If you do not have one, and should have one. NOT having it there would cause the starter to be closer to the flywheel and causing your starter binding problems.

 

[jc_is_the_man]

well it still sounds like the starter is binding up.... On most fords there is a "block plate" that fits between the engine and trans, I do not know fore sure, but i want to say the 4G63 is supposed to have one. it would be a thin plate that helps align the starter. If you do not have one, and should have one. NOT having it there would cause the starter to be closer to the flywheel and causing your starter binding problems.

That is exactly what it is. I'm missing the starter plate and I realized that a couple days ago. I haven't had a chance to work on the car yet (busy with school/work). But I was thinking about adding a washer to move the starter out in front a bit as a bandaid until I figure out why it isn't turning over?? Would that cause any sort of problem or would it not even work like that?

Thanks John

 

[BogusSVO]

That is exactly what it is. I'm missing the starter plate and I realized that a couple days ago. I haven't had a chance to work on the car yet (busy with school/work). But I was thinking about adding a washer to move the starter out in front a bit as a bandaid until I figure out why it isn't turning over?? Would that cause any sort of problem or would it not even work like that?

Thanks John

it may work for a few starts, but that plate not only spaces the starter but also aligns it, without the plate you may start burning up starters, or chipping teeth off the starter and/or the flywheel ring gear.

bottom line, get the plate, split the engine and trans, install the plate, and fix it proper.

 

[jc_is_the_man]

it may work for a few starts, but that plate not only spaces the starter but also aligns it, without the plate you may start burning up starters, or chipping teeth off the starter and/or the flywheel ring gear.

bottom line, get the plate, split the engine and trans, install the plate, and fix it proper.

I agree, either way it needs to be installed. Hopefully I'll get the motivation to do it this weekend.

 

[1SickAuto]

i dont know if it matters, but i think awd and fwd starters a different (make sure it isnt a FWD starter). there are alot of idiots at autozone and theyve been know to screw up alot and give people wrong stuff.

 

[jc_is_the_man]

i dont know if it matters, but i think awd and fwd starters a different (make sure it isnt a FWD starter). there are alot of idiots at autozone and theyve been know to screw up alot and give people wrong stuff.

Ehh, theres no difference between fwd/awd, 6 bolt/7bolt etc... Only thing that matters is if it's auto or manual. But got called into work today (8-4) then going to be hitting the gym and after seeing the girl. So this probably is going to have to wait to hopefully sometime during the week.

 

[1SickAuto]

well i know the fwd and awd ring gears are different and if you have the wrong starter, it will cause binding

 

[jc_is_the_man]

starters are the same, it's the actual bellhousing design that's different so swapping starters won't do anything

But all he starters are the same, its just the bellhousings that are different. I'm sure its a FWD flywheel because if it was AWD I highly doubt the starter would engage at all since it is smaller. Either way, I'll start pulling the tranny tomorrow. It will be my first time doing something like this so it should be interesting/fun not to mention I'm sure I'll add new words to my vocabulary with all the swearing that will be going on

Putting the beers on ice as we speak haha.