Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All, I was turning my engine (1275 Marina) over on the starter handle as I have done on previous occasions and yesterday it was turning with the starter motor no problem now it just jammed and won't move. The radiator and fan are fitted so it's difficult to get a socket on to turn it back (anti clockwise) not sure if thats a good idea anyway so I have just left it as I didn't want to force anything.

Any ideas on what has happened, there was no noises or bangs or anything it just stopped turning?

Thanks in advance, Jeff

Jefftav wrote:Hi All, I was turning my engine (1275 Marina) over on the starter handle as I have done on previous occasions and yesterday it was turning with the starter motor no problem now it just jammed and won't move. The radiator and fan are fitted so it's difficult to get a socket on to turn it back (anti clockwise) not sure if thats a good idea anyway so I have just left it as I didn't want to force anything.

Any ideas on what has happened, there was no noises or bangs or anything it just stopped turning?

Thanks in advance, Jeff

Has the starter jammed? Sometimes happens, especially if battery is a bit low. Put car in 2nd gear, release handbrake and rock car back and forward. This should release the starter "dog", possibly with an alarming "clunk". Worth a try!

I would certainly do as above Jeff - or remove the starter - especially as you have already had issues with it . Has the engine been running before all this happened ?

The starter was jammed but has now been replaced. See here: http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ic&t=27117

Sounds like it's jammed again - that's the point!

I was just highlighting the fact that there had been a previous problem with the starter motor for those that hadn't seen Jefftav's thread on the electrical forum.

Aye -I'm just a bit bemused by the timings of Jeff two posts!
The mechanical one at 10:33 says it's jammed, and the electrical one at 10:39 seems to suggest it's all ok ??

Hi All, I have had the engine running, the starter seemed to be turning the engine and releasing from the flywheel OK but that was yesterday. Today I was just checking the timing and I encountered this problem. I will retrace my steps and remove the starter and see what happens, just a bit odd thats all and I didn't want to cause myself any more problems by damaging the engine.

Hmm - is it possible the flywheel is not perfectly square to the crank tail - and 'wobbles' slightly as it turns ?

Worth checking the starter ring gear teeth as well.

Ive had a burr raised just at one point on the ring gear when using a dodgy starter motor (worn gear). It started fine but sometimes stuck where the burr was and didnt disengage! All it needed was a little bit of filing to clean off the burr and a new gear on the starter motor.

taupe wrote:Worth checking the starter ring gear teeth as well.

Ive had a burr raised just at one point on the ring gear when using a dodgy starter motor (worn gear). It started fine but sometimes stuck where the burr was and didnt disengage! All it needed was a little bit of filing to clean off the burr and a new gear on the starter motor.

That's where my money is as well! A new starter/dog will still jam if the ring gear is burred. Also the starter could be suspect itself, I've had recon ones where the throw out is wrong, causing jamming as one of the maladies. Getting into the realms of possible bad manufacturing tolerances, but nowadays I don't trust any new parts!

Aye - but this seemingly 'jammed' while being turned over on the handle.

bmcecosse wrote:Aye - but this seemingly 'jammed' while being turned over on the handle.

He's saying that it turned over on the starter OK yesterday, not started, therefore the starter could have jammed in the ring gear then, now won't turn with the handle either!

What else is likely to lock an engine up?

Well - hopefully nothing! Since it has been running before - it's surely ok internally - and the only external candidate is really the starter.

Morning all, Sorry, rain stopped play the other day. I have taken the starter motor out and hey presto my engine turns OK now. I will have a closer look at the flywheel and the starter motor it's just all very odd. Thanks all very much for your advice.

Hmm - well - have a good look at the flywheel/ringear while someone turns the engine over very slowly Jeff - to see if the ring gear is running perfectly true.