How do you know if flywheel is damaged

LGRA

MEMBER
1995 AUDI A6
165 MILES

1995 Audi A6 base sedan - the ignition works but car will not start and timing belt does not move when attempting to start engine. Does this imply the flywheel needs repair/replacement? I am about to spend $800-$1000 in credit card
debt and worried if general mechanic's diagnosis is accurate?

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

The flywheel is at the other end of the engine. It had better be spinning because that's what the starter motor turns. If the timing belt isn't moving it's broken. You didn't list the engine size so I can't tell if it's an interference engine. If it is there will be bent valves when the timing belt breaks.

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Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 AT 7:59 PM

LGRA

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hello caradiodoc, thank you for responding - the engine is 2.8L, 12 valve V6, base model 1995.
When I turn the key, you can hear the engine trying to start but it will not - I had my brother look
at the timing belt as I attempted to start the engine and the timing belt did not move. The timing
belt is relatively new, only 10K miles on it since last replaced and also looks new, no sign of wear
or tear. It was a specialized individual that works only on starter motors and alternators that said, he
thinks it is the flywheel b/c he touched it and it was spinning. This person recommended a general
mechanic that he knows. Three months ago I had the starter motor rebuilt with the same individual who is
not a general mechanic and I took the car back, thinking it was the Starter motor again.

Today, I decided to take the car to a firestone full car serivce - the initial thought it may be the fuel pump,
but the car has not been tested yet - I had it towed and the individual who said it was not the starter motor
left the alternator hanging and serpentine belt off. I was at work and could not leave to go check the car
before being towed. The indivudual, that left the car this way, suddenly went on vacation this week?

I am in a pickle - can not loose my job and can not afford a new car payment. Still I am hopeful it will
be repaired and I can get another 2 years more of use out of my car, depending on how much to fix
and what the actual repair entails.

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Monday, June 3rd, 2013 AT 3:31 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

The good news is I don't see any reference to the dual cam engine being an interference engine so there shouldn't be any bent valves. It's confusing though because the single cam engine is listed as an interference engine but they show the same belt diagram for both engines. Hmm.

The timing belt also runs the water pump and there's a tensioner pulley and an idler pulley. To insure the quality of the repair it is customary to replace those parts when the timing belt is replaced. Perhaps one of those items wasn't changed and it developed bad bearings. That could allow the belt to become loose and not turn without being broken.

Another possibility is a sheared off key between the crankshaft and its belt sprocket. That would not be real serious but it would be a time-consuming repair. Either way the front of the engine will have to be disassembled to properly diagnose the cause of the problem.

I hope you'll have good news to report back soon.

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Monday, June 3rd, 2013 AT 11:46 PM