Starter and flywheel turn, but nothing else.

[annieneff]

From my last post; I got clear fuel lines, primed everything and got ready to see if there were any bubbles. I turned the key while my friend was going to turn the injector lines to bleed the air.

Long story short, it made a kind of weird noise the first key turn. Kind of like the starter and the flywheel bound up for a split second?
After awhile of cranking and no fuel moving through my nice new clear lines, my friend asked if the timing belt should be moving. Then I had him go turn the key and sure enough, starter and flywheel spinning happily along, but crank and all the belts on the other side were dishearteningly still and quiet.

Forgive my ignorance. I haven't had something like this happen before. I'm suspecting broken driveshaft because my bus is a complete trainwreck and that would fit the story and themes perfectly. But I also think something just broke in the transmission. Any ideas/suggestions before I tear the transmission off?
After I kind of freaked out about the crank not cranking, my friend admitted to driving it like a complete idiot a few weeks before, right before it died. Now he tells me. Stalled it out a bunch of times and a lot if jerky jerky stuff in the van and transmission. Steep, steep, hills in Seattle. He won't get to borrow it or drive it again.
Thanks in advance--

Andrew

[TylerDurden]

Well... if the flywheel is really turning, you got heartache, friend.

I am picturing a loose or broken timing belt (possibly a trashed crank sprocket) that allowed the pistons to hit the valves.

Any chance there was a tool or holder left in the path of the timing belt? (Not that it would change the situation.)

[8v-of-fury]

I have seen a pump lock left in.. and it was enough to allow the whole belt to not move. The crank sprocket took every tooth off around it, and it slipped over the crank sprocket..

Either that, or the starter took a shat an is just spinning.. Hopefully eh

[annieneff]

I haven't had the timing cover on in awhile. All intact and really fine there. I should also mention that I put the car in gear and rolled it a stroke or two. That made everything turn just fine, just like normal, although when I did that I didn't look at the flywheel at the same time. Kind of difficult to do.

I also ended up taking the v belt off the alternator water pump, and crank wheel. The crank wheel felt kind of loose, but not terminal? Probably shouldn't be loose at all huh? I'm still holding out hope here since my timing belt is intact.

[8v-of-fury]

IF the engine rolled over with pushing the van.. the rotating assembly is probably fine. As well as the clutch, or else the wheels and engine wouldn't be connected.

Starter seems suspect here.

[annieneff]

How would the starter turn the flywheel but not the rest of the engine?

[8v-of-fury]

Starter is probably not turning the flywheel

It has to shoot out and engage the flywheel, it is not full time engagement.

[annieneff]

So even though I can see the flywheel turning it doesn't mean it's fully engaged and working?

[8v-of-fury]

OH. You can see the flywheel turning while turning the key?? and the belt and other stuff doesnt move???

[annieneff]

Exactly.
Weirdo situation, huh?

[CRSMP5]

anyone??? what engine??

my worry... that crank pully in no way ever should feel loose... ever... stick wrench on it.. turn loose.. is the bolt moves.. take bolt out.. pop gear off see how ruinedcrank and sprocket is... wrench on crank turning ccw should not move with out serious effort.. so even say 30ft-lbs and loose is too loose..

[CRSMP5]

ohh also.. no idea of old post.. why injector lines need bled??

[annieneff]

Aaz engine, sorry.

I'll check out the crank as suggested.

The injector lines needed to be bled bc original symptom was prolific white smoke and rough idle, 2 days after getting it back from the shop. I replaced fuel lines with clear to see if there were bubbles...
 Then the turning flywheel but nothing else.

[745 turbogreasel]

Broken or loose flywheel mount bolts
Ring  gear cracked and loose on flywheel
Broken crank
Front gear/snout

Pull one GP, and crank it, does air move through the hole?  if yes, part of the crank at least is turning.

What part of the flywheel have you seen  turning?
If stick, what happens when you crank in gear?

[annieneff]

Please everyone with me-- "let it be broken flywheel bolts, let it be broken flywheel bolts..."

I'll check all the other suggestions tomorrow. Thanks!