Hello,

Metalic rattling noise was heard from under the engine while driving. I turned it off to check it and now it doesn't start.

Car does not turn over.

Steady hum heard with no turning of the crankshaft seen. Fuel pump works.

I assume that the ring gear (?) linking the starter to the engine is broken.


If I get it started from a roll and pop the clutch, will I damage anything driving it home?


Suggestions as to the cause and the repair?

Thanks.

It is possible that the ring gear on the flywheel is damaged or stripped, but usually that happens as a result of a worn starter & it manifests itself in the form of terrible screeching, grinding noises while attempting to start the car, occasional at first but increasing in regularity. Chances are good that the starter failed & allowed the drive gear to hit the ring gear causing the noise you heard, the question is whether it took out the ring gear when it went. Look for rounded off teeth on the ring gear when you pull the starter. If yes, it's probably time for a flywheel/flex plate (though the ring gear can be replaced on the flywheel, it's tricky). Try just the starter first, but any grinding with the new starter means you'll wear it out in a real hurry if you don't change the ring gear. The other possibility here is that something's come loose & jammed in the ring gear somewhere - something like, for example, a torque converter bolt...
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Chris, Dartmouth NS Canada 70 M-B 280SE, 83 245DL, 84 244 turbo, 90 780 turbo, 92 VW Golf

Pull the starter. I'm guessing the starter failed. Think about the gear ratio and which one does the most work. Still the ring gear could fail or be damaged?
My moneys on the starter.
Push start? If it were mine I'd try it, any unusual noises after starting and you'd better get a tow unless you can pull the starter on site

Sounds like your starter motor gear drive is broken. There's a device in the gear that allows it to catch when turning the motor and feeling resistance but releases when the motor starts allowing the gear to retract. The gear can be replaced by itself but its alot easier to just drop in a rebuilt or used motor. A push start in 2nd gear shouldn't cause any problems.