So,
Here is the story.
I Have an 02 4runner, its a great truck and has no issues.
But,
I had an 87 4runner. that I recently dropped an engine in, drove it steady for about 3 months and just sold it. The engine had about 30,000 miles. but the truck has around 275,000...

The guy that bought the truck (who is a friend) called me and said.
"I was driving the truck and it sounded like something metal broke as I was driving it, I pulled it up to the next stoplight and the engine was still running but the truck wouldn't move."
He then said he rolled it down the hill to a gas station and turned the truck off... When he tried to start it back up it was grinding like hell...

He got the truck towed home so I went over to take a look at it.

Here is what I found:
The truck, does indeed Grind like hell when you try to start it.

I pulled the starter off and all of the teeth where completely chewed off.

I replaced the starter: Same behavior

I can roll the engine over by hand no problem with all the belts on.

The flywheel seems to be in good condition as well...

Anybody have any thoughts.?

Would a transmission problem have anything to do with this?
The engine feels like its doing great.

could the flywheel have warped or gotten off balance?

 

have you opened the motor up yet?

i mean... it could be a broken crank.... not very likely, but i know its happened before and the vehicle still ran after it was broke.

 

haven't opened it up yet.

The other thing I forgot to mention is:
When I roll the motor over I can hear the the compression in the cylinders.

ie: I can hear the air come out of the top of the motor...

I guess I thought a broken crank would be unlikely.

My next couple of questions would be...
Where would the crank have broken?
what would cause it break?

 

[QUOTE=Teva02;50521132]haven't opened it up yet.

The other thing I forgot to mention is:
When I roll the motor over I can hear the the compression in the cylinders.

ie: I can hear the air come out of the top of the motor...

I guess I thought a broken crank would be unlikely.

My next couple of questions would be...
Where would the crank have broken?
what would cause it break?[/QUOT]

twards teh back of the motor will the truck drive at all?

 

I can't even get it to start.
The starter just grinds like hell.

 

did the teeth on the flywheel get torn off?

 

nope - the teeth on the flywheel are good...
I actually had a buddy roll the motor while I felt the teeth.

 

Someone is telling me that if I didn't use lock-tite on the bolts that bolt the fly-wheel to the motor that they will back themselves out... even though I torqued the fly-wheel on...

heard of this?

 

Well, if you remove the starter, try to wiggle the flywheel and see if there is any play. You may even try to wedge a screwdriver or small pry bar for more leverage and pry around for any excessive movement.

Another thought, although it may be a little dangerous, would be to push start the vehicle, pop the clutch, and see what happens. Kinda risky, but it would give you a good idea whats going on.

 

I'd make sure the flywheel is bolted down before trying to push start the truck. If it came loose, you've probably got other problems. Sounds like the engine should be ok if it was still running, but you might be looking at a clutch job too.

 

Sorry,
Forgot to mention, Its an automatic...

I've done a ton of engine swaps and always torqued the flywheel on without any lock-tight and have never seen bolts back out.