Starter crank but no turn over.

[PimpinWalrus]

So after about 3 months of working on a 5 speed swap, I'm to the day where im ready to give her a start. First turn of the key i get this loud screech noise i suspected being a belt but it turned over fine, gave it another test before i took it off the jack stands and it screeched but still started fine. About ten minutes later I gave it one last crank before rolling her out, and i get this loud cranking noise from the starter. Not the typical oscilating crank noise when the car won't start, but was this constant cranking hum. I'm at a loss here, and not sure what it could be.

[mkcman17]

Sounds like the starter is hitting the spacer plate

[Cabriolet]

when you put the flywheel on.

did you put the spacer in-front or behind the flywheel?

is the starter bolted correctly?

when you link a video. dont use the who link
"www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_ezP5XDkuY"

only use after the equals "g_ezP5XDkuY", this will make the video work.

[PimpinWalrus]

I just got it to start in first, but won't start in neutral. ran for probably 5 minutes and i gave it some gas and i starting getting white smoke from the headers. Their is a new reins gasket on the manifold to the head so that might be what the smoke was. But when i started it i still get this screeching noise. I'll try to get a video of a startup.

[PimpinWalrus]

when you put the flywheel on.

did you put the spacer in-front or behind the flywheel?

is the starter bolted correctly?

I can't quite remember, but i think it was behind. |Engine|-|Flywheel|-|Spacer|

and as far as i know the starter is bolted on correctly

[mkcman17]

It's probably burning off all the hand-touching over five months. I'd still guess the spacer plate wasn't seated on the dowel pins when the trans was snugged on.

[jlevie]

It sounds to me like the starter isn't fully engaging the flywheel ring gear. The starter may not be correctly seated or there could be a problem with the flywheel.

[Madhatter]

what flywheel did you use in the conversion and did you make sure the starter engaged properly? different heights for different flywheels/flex plates.

[PimpinWalrus]

what flywheel did you use in the conversion and did you make sure the starter engaged properly? different heights for different flywheels/flex plates.

That may be the problem. I used a single mass from
a 1990 325i (same year and model as mine) but didn't think to check the engagement
I know for sure that the starter isn't seated well,
whether it be to the tranny itself, or to the flywheel.

Just to save me the google searches, is their a good thread on adjusting the starter you would recommend?

[Madhatter]

The noise sounds like the starter isn't engaging and driving the flywheel. I know there is a difference in heights between single mass and dual mass, not sure about auto and manual though. Not sure if they would change it between them. There is nothing to adjust though, it either fits properly and works or it doesn't.

When you say it isn't seated well, do you know what the problem is and why it isn't snug down against the block and installed right into the belhousing of the box?

The spacer should go on the outside of the flywheel, doesn't matter a WHOLE lot if you forget to install it, but if it is installed between the flywheel and the crank, it'll mess up the engagement of the starter.

[cabriodster87]

Is your battery fully charged? Merry Christmas.