E30 Zone

Hi

I have a 1990 318is which always starts first time, it has a recently replaced battery. Tonight (the car was not driven since sunday afternoon) I went to start it and it turned over a couple of times now I just hear the starter motor whirring but engine doesn't seem to be turning and certainly is not firing.

Any ideas?

Someone suggested pinion stuck and try pushing car back and forward in 2nd gear to release it.

Thanks

It sounds like the starter pinion to me, if its just wurring and not turning the engine then try tapping it, put a metal bar onto the starter body and tap it with a hammer (note TAP not smack/brey/beat/belt ) this usually shocks it loose but it is a temporary thing to get you out of trouble untill you can source a replacement starter.

BTW its under the inlet manifold at the back, looks like 2 cylinders with the smaller 1 on top (this is the sticking bit)

Ok thanks. Will check out in morning when have light!

Any idea on best place to get new starter? Worth getting second-hand or not?

Can't see there being anything wrong with getting second hand.

Plenty of breakers out there.

The problem with 2nd hand is that you don't know how long theyre going to work for 9/10 theyre fine, it depends how cheap you can get 1 for compared to the price of a new or re-conditioned 1.