02 windstar no start

[doublezee]

Hi all my first time on forum. Looking for advice on a problem I'm having with my 02 windstar. I went to start engine heard a crunching noise then it wouldn't start, had starter checked ok, battery checked ok, moved fly wheel counter clock wise. but still when I go to start I hear starter engage and try to move fly wheel but no turn. does starters lose there power or are they just either working or not working? Thanks any ideas would help. My real concern is if motor is damaged inside.

[12Ounce]

Originally Posted by doublezee

... had starter checked ok, ......

Explain, in some detail, what you mean by this statement.

[doublezee]

Took starter in auto shop had them energize it to make sure it is not stuck, it is not, when I turn key I can feel it trying turn fly wheel.

[scubacat]

I'd try another starter before doing anything more complicated. When I replaced mine, there was a shim. Did you remember to put that back in place? If that's missing, it could be that the teeth on the starter are just slightly missing engaging the fly wheel.

I'd also try connecting a jumper wire to the starter and touching it to the battery and seeing if it starts better that way. That way you can be sure there isn't some other electrical issue causing it to not get enough power when you turn the key in the ignition.

[12Ounce]

Originally Posted by doublezee

Took starter in auto shop had them energize it to make sure it is not stuck, it is not, when I turn key I can feel it trying turn fly wheel.

You removed the starter and took it into shop?

While the starter was removed, you should have tried to turn the engine by using a wrench on the nut (or is it a bolt?) that holds the crank and belt wheels to the crank. It will be difficult but you should be able to slowly turn it. If you remove all the spark plugs, it will be a lot easier to turn .... unless something is broken inside the engine.

[doublezee]

Thanks for all advise tomorrow I'm gonna try all theses ideas. I will let you al know what happens. thanks again.

[doublezee]

So I tried everything and found starter was working fine in a test but when engaged with fly wheel it would stick because of a internal problem with starter. In the course of testing things, I took belt off and checked pullies all were good then I turned crank manually that's what told me starter was still engaged, but I must have turn engine in wrong direction because my oil was milk shake color. it rained the whole time van was down (10-12 days)after 2 oil changes it went to normal color. Now plugs fouled

[12Ounce]

I'm assuming you are trying to restart a car that has been sitting awhile? You did not say.

Milky oil means water. It could mean coolant. Either is bad. I suggest you send a sample of current crankcase oil to Blackstone Labs for testing. They can tell you if it was rainwater or coolant. Don't let the appearance of the oil fool you ... a small amount of coolant you will not be able to detect by looking ... and yet it will still destroy the engine over a very short time.

I suspect the head gasket was blown because there was water trapped in the cylinder ... that also lead to the destruction of the starter.