I've gone through the past posts on cars that won't start but I have just a few questions.

I went to start my 86 GXL today and when I turned the key I heard the starter turn, but before the engine would start there was a lould *clunk* and then nothing. Now when I turn my key the idiot lights turn on and dim slightly, but there's no noise from the engine bay. I tried to jump start it but that didn't work. Also the lights go on fine and bright, so I don't think it's the batt.

How would I check the starter, solenoid, etc. and all that jazz before I decide to get it towed (I'm currently illegally parked on my street). Also, if it does end up being the starter, etc. how much should I expect to pay? I don't want to get hosed.

Thanks

 

Hey man, you might want to check your battery teminals, sometimes if they have a bad conection, they will let enough energy through for lights and stuff, but when it comes time to start a 'click' or maybe a clunk is heard. but if it is the started, do it yourself, i havent done it before myself, but iv been under the car and it looks easy to reach and replace (compared to my damn door, i degress) anyway, my 2 cents -Adam

 

I would check to see if your starter is loose/frozen then pull on the belts to see if you can turn the engine by hand. The clunk you heard could possibly be carbon lock.

 

I tried pulling on the belts and it wouldn't budge at all. What exactly would that mean?

 

Push start the car. Just put it in 1st gear, dont step on the clutch. Get a friend, lay a towel or something on your bumper and get him to push the vehicle with his. It should start up.

 

If the engine won't turn by pulling on the belts, and the cars out of gear.....sad. Could be the starter jammed. Remove starter and try turning the engine again. Might put it in forth gear and rock back and forth. If it does not budge......I'll buy into the carbon lock idea right away. If you push this car, and it has carbon lock, I don't see any good happening. Carbon lock is a piece of carbon that fell off the rotors, and jammed b/t the apex seal and the housing. Picture what happens if you use force to turn the engine in this situation. Can't be good. I'm backwards. If I was convinced it was carbon lock, I'd take the engne apart rather than destroy the rotor housing. Tough decision.

That said, it'll probably turn out to be something else altogether.

 

Well, it's dead. The engine seized. What should I do now? 86 GXL w/ 91,000 miles.

I am, to say the least, pissed.

 

Did you remove the starter?Did you try turning the motor over by hand with the car in neutral?(thanks Hailers) Give us all the details of your diagnosis. If you still think it's seized, I would put a few ounces of atf in each combustion chamber by either removing the upper intake, (pain in the *** but consider the alternative) and taking out the spark plugs and use a oil can with a pump and small hose,(think tin man) and squirt atf in that way also. Let the atf sit for at least 24 hours more time would be better, and let the atf soften up the carbon that is possibly blocking your rotor. Then, using the rocking method to get the rotors moving. Once you get the rotors unseized, place some towels over the spark plug holes and turn the motor over with the starter. alot of the atf will come out of the spark plug holes so let it spin for at least 30 seconds or so. Then put everthing back together and cross your fingers and hope it starts.

Oh yeah, do NOT try to turn the motor over with excessive amounts of atf in the chambers, you could experience hydrolock depending on how much fluid you put in and just screw things up more. BEWARE OF THE SMOKE THAT WILL ENSUE AFTER STARTUP!!!!!

 

The mechanics I took it too said they couldn't get it to turn at all and told me it had seized. I've been reading a little more online since and am doubtfull myself. I keep reading about this kind of treatment and think I'll end up trying it soon. I'll porbably be back on for a little more help (and searching) when I get a chance to start playing with everything.

I'm curious if rotaries can really seaze like a regular engine though? Is it possible to have a traditional seize in a rotary?
Thank everyone.