Callia6

It makes a weird noise and won't crank over. http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=_jO7tBW2E_I

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You haven't actually given us much information, or even actually asked a question.

But start with the basics.

Is the battery dead? Can you jump start the engine with jumper cables and another car?

Callia6

The battery is dead, I did have to jump it in order for it to turn on. http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=_jO7tBW2E_I is the video of me trying to start it

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It doesn't sound like the starter gear is actually engaging the flywheel, and the starter nose gear is just free spinning.

Try again, and watch the alternator belt, to see if it's spinning. If it is spinning, then the engine is turning over, and the problem isn't the starter. If it isn't spinning, then the engine isn't turning over and the problem is most likely a starter failure.

If you pull the starter to replace it and find shrapnel or debris in the hole, then it may not be a starter failure but a clutch failure that is preventing the starter from engaging, so if the engine isn't rotating, pull the starter first (easy to get to under the car, driver's side next to the transmission, 3 bolts and 1 wire clip) to see if there is evidence of a clutch failure, then if not, take the starter to an auto parts store for testing.

Callia6

Alright, worst case scenario would could it be? I'm buying the car and I want to see if it's worth buying and to fix.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Depends on if the engine is actually turning over or not, and if the starter is engaging the engine or not.

This is literally anything from a battery problem or grounding problem that can be fixed for virtually nothing, all the way up to a $4,000+ engine failure

Callia6

So if it is spinning buy it, if it doesn't don't buy it?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I can give either a recommendation.

For example both spinning and not spinning have the same worst case scenario: Engine's dead

The diagnosis steps to get to each of those would be:
- not spinning -> test starter -> starter tests fine -> confirm starter engaging the flywheel -> engine still doesn't turn -> seized engine
- is spinning -> compression test to see if compression is too low to fire -> engine fails compression test

I'm not saying that this is what it is, but there are diagnosis steps that need to be done to actually figure out what is wrong with it.

Possible issues:
- Starter Failure: $350
- Engine Compression Failure: $3,500+
- Engine Seized: $4,500+ (no usable core to return or rebuild)
- Dead ignition: $200-$600 (depending on what solution you go with)
- Dead/Failing Battery: $130-$250
- Corroded ground wires: $10

And that is before getting into anything else that might be wrong with the car after apparently sitting there a while. Wires chewed on by rodents, cooling system failure, fluids contaminated, etc...


I'm not trying to scare you away from the car, but this isn't something we can just give you a simple A + B = C equation of what to do. There is still far far far too much unknown. The best we can help you with is just giving you, or the owner, diagnosis steps of what to check in what order and how. If you were at the car with a set of tools, a jack, and jackstands, we could probably walk you to a diagnosis within an hour or so. Many of us would be able to figure it out in person in even less time.

Happy to help, but too early to make a call.

Mysterion

From what I heard in the video, it almost sounds as though the starter drive is not engaging the ring gear on the flywheel or, if it is, the drive's teeth are really badly worn or chewed down. If you are at all mechanically inclined, disconnect the battery and drop the starter. Have a good look at all the teeth on the starter drive and, with a flashlite or work lite, look into the starter's mounting hole and see if the rin gear teeth are worn or chipped away. That will at least give you an idea what is/isn't going on with the basic stuff.