Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

[chimmike]

Initially when battery power was low I got a light non-metallic click when trying to turn the motor over. Used jumper cables to add some juice to rather dead batteries and voltage per gauges was >12v, tried cranking and just got a metallic click now, almost like maybe a gear was hitting a tooth and stopping.

Sound like maybe the starter is dying/dead? I'll be pulling it later today to get tested.

Just bought the boat, 91 Celebrity 190. I knew it would be a project but I don't have experience with GM V8's so it's a learning process as I go along.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Sometimes when the battery your trying to jump is completely dead it is almost impossible to jump start. It could be grounded out cells in the battery too. I would switch out the bad battery with a fresh one, which you will have to do anyway. Then clean up ALL of the terminals and connections on both ends. Now see if the starter still won't engage and turn the motor.

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Well, I had thrown the battery on the charger last night, so it still had some voltage.

Specifics I should've mentioned before:
Dual battery setup, switch set to "ALL"
charger on batt 1 in "engine start" mode
Jumper cables on batt 2 with car running

Tried to start, still only 1 metallic click, then nothing. Voltmeter on dash showed >12v.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

I'm assuming you haven't seen this engine running at all??
If not, it may be seized remove the starter and the spark plugs, and apply some leverage on the flywheel teeth to see if it moves.

 

[SWD]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Ditto on seeing if the engine can rotate, after that check and clean all connections from the starter and also the slave solenoid. If still not check to see if you have voltage down at starter, if so it may be the slave solenoid. You can bypass that just to see if the starter actually works. If nothing at the starter you will have to replace it with a new one. Bit of a job getting it out........but it can be done. Been there done that a few months back.

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

I really can't access the flywheel all that well to try to rotate it, but we pulled the starter and the gera is totally rusted, looks frozen to me, and a bunch of debris came out from it. I'll be ordering a replacement tomorrow and i'll probably try to see if I can turn the flywheel tomorrow too.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

I really can't access the flywheel all that well to try to rotate it, but we pulled the starter and the gera is totally rusted, looks frozen to me, and a bunch of debris came out from it. I'll be ordering a replacement tomorrow and i'll probably try to see if I can turn the flywheel tomorrow too.

A better alternative to levering the flywheel is to put a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

A better alternative to levering the flywheel is to put a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt

I tried that earlier and all I did was loosen/tighten the bolt!

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

I tried that earlier and all I did was loosen/tighten the bolt!

I can see it loosening, but as you tighten it it should reach a point when the engine rotates, if you couldn't get it to that point then it may well be seized

 

[Watermann]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Pull the spark plugs and see if any of the electrodes have rust on them. While open, spray some PB blaster in the cylinders and let it sit overnight. Maybe it will break free for you.

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Pull the spark plugs and see if any of the electrodes have rust on them. While open, spray some PB blaster in the cylinders and let it sit overnight. Maybe it will break free for you.

None of them had rust. One of them had some gunk and there was some fluid in the clinder, but I sprayed b12 in there and it sat for a while, then I blew our the cylinders with an air hose and sprayed wd40 back in and it's been sitting like that overnight at least.

 

[SWD]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Hope you can get it to crank. Keep my fingers crossed.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

There is also the possibility that the outdrive is seized not the engine. If the engine won't turn pull the drive and try it again. But it sounds like a bad connection to me.

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

There is also the possibility that the outdrive is seized not the engine. If the engine won't turn pull the drive and try it again. But it sounds like a bad connection to me.

yeah, I was told the outdrive was good. I have no real way of checking it, but the prop spins freely. I too am hoping the starter is the key. If the motor is seized, hey, it is what it is. I got the boat and trailer for such a good deal that $1500 for a longblock is not going to break the deal!

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

YAY! GLIMMER OF HOPE! I was able to move the flywheel an inch and saw some of the penetrating oil I sprayed in a cylinder come out....that means at least some compression in that cylinder, AND THAT THE MOTOR IS NOT SIEZED!

New starter ordered today

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

YAY! GLIMMER OF HOPE! I was able to move the flywheel an inch and saw some of the penetrating oil I sprayed in a cylinder come out....that means at least some compression in that cylinder, AND THAT THE MOTOR IS NOT SIEZED!

New starter ordered today

I don't want to rain on your parade, but the motor may well have been seized and the penetrating oil has released it. Are you able to rotate the engine more than 1" ? A full revolution would be good

 

[chimmike]

Re: Metallic click while trying to start- '91 5.0

Well, it didn't take much force to move the flywheel, and yeah I went back out and moved it a few more inches. IT's difficult to get leverage on anything there to use my pry bar on the flywheel teeth! I love to think penetrating oil works, but if the rings really rusted to the cylinder walls, ain't no Pblaster gonna release the grip salt-water induced rust would cause.