[blueben]

For a reason I haven't managed to diagnose yet, my engine turns over a few times until it stops trying to turn over altogether. I suspect the top end, but I don't have time to tear it down right now. So, I'm looking for a low mileage motor. Ebay has quite a few, but shipping is ridiculous. Does anyone have, or know of, a source for quality low mileage EX500 motors locally?

 

[rayw]

bit of a large part replacement and still a lot of work to swap one over, wouldn't you rather spend that time diagnosing the problem and not having to buy a whole engine?

 

[blueben]

At this point, I've done most of the easy diagnostics. We threw a scope down the bores and everything there looks good. The bottom end seems to rotate ok. It turns over but it won't catch and sounds out of sync. Eventually it just stops trying to turn over at all. The battery is fine; it even does this with a booster plugged in.

 

[rayw]

sure it's not the starter?

 

[blueben]

It will turn over quickly for a few minutes before eventually getting sluggish and feeling somewhat seized. Not running it constantly, of course, but for a few seconds at a time.

Here's a video from when it first happened in November:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQeCO25e-NE

And from last weekend when we did more troubleshooting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo12k1GeWbI

Unfortunately, I didn't get any video from when it was turning over last weekend. It would spin, but never catch and every once in a while it seemed really clunky.

 

[blueben]

Maybe I'll move this to the troubleshooting forum.

 

[blueben]

I found lots of metal filings at the bottom of the alternator cover, so it's very unlikely to be the starter. So, still looking for that motor. Anyone selling?