[Bruglione]

Hi all

im writing to address an issue i have with my SL320. Posting on this section since more 140s have the 104.991 engine than 129s.

i have uploaded video on youtube trying to start the engine.
uninstalled the starter and took it at the local autozone where it was tested and deemed functional. Battery is new and also checked and charged. 100miles ago had ignition coils changed along with spark plug cables if it matters.

ive moved away from home and dont know any local indy, i will greatly appreciate suggestions on that as well. im in staten island, new york

Thanks and looking forward to any replies. I am desperate

Regards

 

[w140w124]

Sounds and looks like a bad flex plate.


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[Drbobme1]

Was the starter reinstalled?

If so was the sound the same?

If not installed what does the drive gear look like?

Have you tried to turn the engine over by hand?

Possible bad ring gear. Look in opening where starter was removed. Rotate engine by hand and check teeth on ring gear. Look for broken teeth, bent teeth.

Possible frozen engine.

Check free movement of drive gear.

Post picture of starter drive gear.

 

[Bruglione]

Was the starter reinstalled?

If so was the sound the same?

If not installed what does the drive gear look like?

Have you tried to turn the engine over by hand?

Possible bad ring gear. Look in opening where starter was removed. Rotate engine by hand and check teeth on ring gear. Look for broken teeth, bent teeth.

Possible frozen engine.

Check free movement of drive gear.

Post picture of starter drive gear.

before installing starter, i kinda peeked inside where the flex plate is but the teeth looked okay.
yes, it sounds the same and doesnt turn. Tomorrow morning will jack the car and peek inside the transmission hole and check for any damage.

have not tried turning the engine by hand. Will take starter out and try turning it tomorrow

Also by gear ring, you mean the flex plate?!

 

[Drbobme1]

The ring gear is mounted to the flex plate. It is a separate part. The ring gear is what the starter motor drive gear meshes with and turns the crankshaft that the flex plate is mounted to.

Video sounds like starter engages and then disengages. Could be bad starter solenoid lever that allows starter gear to disengage or weak starter solenoid not holding starter gear to stay engaged. Make sure their is no damage on the starter drive shaft preventing the starter gear to fully engage. When tested did the starter gear move and spin without any problems. Remember the test was done outside the car and had no load on it. For squiggles you can buy a used starter for $30-$40 on ebay to be sure your starter is good.

Suggest you take the starter to an Starter/Alternator shop, not Autozone for a professional test/evaluation. Take a copy of your video with you to show the shop mechanic what happens. It does not have to be a MB indy shop.

 

[Bruglione]

Thank you guys! Greatly appreciate the input.

i have found a couple starter shops to take the starter at and will consult a few mechanics, maybe one has a borescope that we can peek inside with.

Couldnt find time this morning and now im working but will be weekdays and have to look into it.

 

[Bruglione]

Its worth mentioning that i had not troubleshot enough.

Upon removing the spark plugs recovered flooding from gasoline due to a shot injector stuck open.

luckily it didnt spark, so i got a new Bosch injector installed and let it run until it burned the gas stuck in the exhaust and its back to normal.

to troubleshoot the injectors, crank the engine without spark plugs installed and the shot injector will show. Mine was squirting like a crooked garden hose, literally

Thank you guys and hope anyone else who encounters the same symptom doesnt fall short of troubleshooting like i did