hello everyone!!

i was wondering, if i spin my crank shaft, is that gonna mess up my timing? am spinning it because my starter sometimes doesn't spin so i either ask someone to push the car so i can put it in gear or i do it alone, either ways i just want to know if spinning the crankshaft while the battery is disconnected will mess up my timing.

 

As long as the timing is correct (sprockets on, chains on, timed already) and there's nothing broken going on (camshaft broken, valves dropped/broken, bent rod, that kind of thing) and there's at least a modicum of lubrication, then you can spin the crank clockwise as you look at the front of the engine and nothing bad will happen.

It is not advisable to spin the motor backwards (counterclockwise/anticlockwise as you look at the front of the motor) because... well, it's not built for that, so that could do... interesting things.

If there's broken stuff, then it doesn't matter, spin it both ways at high speeds and sincerely send that motor to the graveyard, why not? You're gonna have to rebuild it or replace it anyway, may as well have fun, right? Being as it's an interference engine, any mis-timed things happening are destroying valves, pistons, rods possibly, block maybe, and heads are on the list too. Maybe crack the cam(s). All kinds of nifty things, if the timing is off or there's broken stuff.

It certainly seems that you need to replace the starter. It's three bolts and two connectors. Not difficult at all, just a little time consuming. You'll want to remove the right front wheel for better access, and you'll want a fairly long (or enough of them to be fairly long) extension to get to one or two bolts using a ratchet and socket. Bolts are 10mm I think. But maybe you knew that and I'm just spewing words. I do that sometimes. Sorry. Can't help it, I just wanna be thorough and helpful and... yeah, I'mma shut up now.

Hope that helps, good luck!

 

i thank you so much brother, indeed i found your info very helpful, i did replace the starter, i think i did not replace it correctly lol.

 

Ah. Well, there ya go. Good info, sorry to diatribe.

Hm. This info, that you've done the starter, makes me wonder two things.

Is the starter bendix working? If not, that'd be it... maybe...

Missing teeth on the flywheel? I mean, you say put it in gear and then push, so I'm sorta thinking that's a manual. Automatic would be easier to check, just remove the access plate. But a manual will probably be take the starter off. However you do it, get to where you can mark the starting point of the flywheel/flex plate and then spin the crank and count/examine teeth. Maybe one's missing and you're getting lucky and hitting that blank spot...

 

yes, its a stick shift (manual), the starter sometimes engages not always, two days ago after i pushed the car to jump start it, went to get some food, and when i started the car the started engaged and the motor turned, this happened to me few times, when it doesn't work i don't even hear it spin, as if it is stuck or something, just waiting for this full time quarantine to finish in my country and ill go check it in a garage and do it myself.