325I has lay for a year, seized starter? Smoke from wires H

Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:52 am

Alright guys, need some advice.

Restoring an old bmw 325i. Replaced the fuel tank and lines and wanted to turn the car over to see if there where any leaks. The car has been lying up for over a year, so I changed the oil and filter as well as 10ltrs of fuel. When I went to start it, it makes this loud clicking noises, that sounds to be coming from the starter motor. I've heard of them seizing, but have never heard the noise first hand, so before I start stripping and removing the motor, does this sound familiar to anyone.

Battery isn't the best, however I did charge it of another car. The concerning point is, the more you try and crank the car over it seems to be melting the wires leading to the alternator would this make sense if it's seized.

Sensible advice welcomed, apologises for my amateurity if it is something simple am missing.

Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:42 am

If you take a car that hasn't run for a long time, the first thing you should do before putting the key in the ignition is to try and turn the engine by hand. This involves sticking a spanner on the crank bolt and trying to do a full revolution (with the handbrake on and the gear in neutral, of course).

If you can't do that, don't keep trying to punch the engine into motion with a 1.4kW motor!

Sat Nov 28, 2015 4:37 pm

Are you sure it's the alternator wiring that's 'melting', and not the nearby wiring to the oil level sensor, which is beneath the alternator? If there's any chance that it's this, DO NOT try to start the car again, until you have removed, cleaned and refitted the engine to body earth strap, between the front of the sump and the chassis rail.

Yes, Grrr is correct! This is the second thread in a row that I've read this evening where someone has tried to fire up a long time laid up engine without preparation. There are things like cam belts (not in your case) and dry valve gear to consider.

Tue Dec 01, 2015 10:35 am

^^ THIS!

Often a sign of a bad engine earth. That brown wire is a fire starter if it takes the engine earth current.