I need some help diagnosing what may be wrong. I was driving along and let the clutch out too fast and killed it. Turned the key to start it and starter turned it over like normal but no start. Tried again and it started. Drove it in to my destination (couple of miles). After coming back out, no starter would turn the engine over, but it did not fire. After about 3 attempts starter began making a totatally differnt noise. It sounded like the starter motor is running but engine was not turning over. I figuired the silonoid on the starter and the little gear was not kicking out to engage the flywheel. I just got done installing a new starter - same noise!!!

Now I'm thinking starter is functioning normal and turning the flywheel but flwheel is not turning the motor. Can this be?

I didn't closely investigate the gears on the flywheel but I did glance at them and didn't notice anything major. I guess I could pull the new starter out and check them out.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss. I'm now assuming the no start when turning over and the now strange starter noise are connected. Timing belt?? But starter would still turn over engine right?

 

I read somthing about shearing a key that drive the crank. Could the flywheel just be spinning and the crank not turing?

 

Diagnosed as broken timing belt. Note to the next poor sucker who gets this sound - stop cranking the engine! See new thread "broke timing belt - how bad is it?"