Help rebuilt no start

[Car Addict]

A week ago i just finished buttoning up my 2 month project of rebuilding my 325i for winter duty. here is what i have done
- timing belt and tensioner
- head gasket
- replaced valve cover gasket
- replaced exhaust heat shield/ gaskets
- replaced intake gaskets
- transmission input and output shaft seal
- replaced all shift linkage bushings
- replaced shifter seals
- replaced clutch disk, throw out bearing, and pressure plate,
- had the flywheel machined
- replaced the rear differential fluid and output shaft seals, and gasket

after all that was done i pulled out the car and attempted to start it. It started, but made a screeching noise after i let the key go.

i drove it for a week like that when you would start it, it would make a low grinding noise while cranking, once the engine caught however, it would make a loud screech then would dissappear, until you tried to start it again.

On Wednesday this week I went out to start my car but to no avail.

it sounded like the starter was turning but not engaging the flywheel.

I figured since the starter was original it must have gone bad so i ordered a new one.

just finished installing the new one and i have the exact same problem.

can anyone help I have no idea where to go from here?

[KenC]

Can you verify that the starter is engaging the flywheel and turning it?

[Car Addict]

It is no longer turning the flywheel

[KenC]

What did the pinion gear look like on the one you took out? Was it pretty destroyed?

[Car Addict]

It was not too bad just some scratches and some nicks. But overall not bad

[KenC]

Hmm. Put the car in 1st, rock it back and forth a bit, then do the same in reverse. Should help line it up better.

[Car Addict]

But why would it become out of synch with a brand new starter?

[Car Addict]

So rocking the car in first let it start. But it still makes the same noise as before I will try to post a video of it.

[Car Addict]

Any Ideas?

[Car Addict]

Anybody??

[Car Addict]

No one has an idea?

[KenC]

Hard to tell but it sounds like the starter may be slipping on the ring gear of the flywheel. I'd reconfirm the wiring to the starter also.

[lateracer]

Definitely sounds like worn flywheel ring teeth.

It'll continue to get worse and eventually not be able to turn the motor enough to start it.

I suggest parking the car to where it faces enough of a down hill to do a bump start 'till you can fix it. Unfortunately, it's going to require pulling your flywheel, BUT it is a removable part, so at least you don't have to get a new flywheel - might be cheaper tho.

Any chance you need a new clutch and/or rear main? You'll be in the neighborhood.

[KenC]

Pull the starter and take some pics of the pinion gear, then get the camera down in the engine bay and snap pic of the ring gear in several different places.

[Car Addict]

Alright I will take some pics of the ring gear this coming weekend. As I stated in the first post I just redid the clutch. I had the flywheel machined and when I had it out I saw no damage to the teeth.

PS this sound never happened before I took the car apart.