Intrigue 1998 - hard start damages starter

My son in college has a 1998 Intrigue and he thought it was the battery as turned over slower/rough. Upon looking into I determined it was the starter and pulled it. The hood/cover of starter was sheared off and I replace it. Upon starting again it turn slower than normal but fired then stopped - started fried. I turned the crank shaft with a wrench but was pretty hard to do. Any ideas would be appreciated. THANKS

When rotating engine with bar, push the accelerator at max to reduces the effort.

Try to remove the belt to see if alternator, pump... are not locked up.

Have you inspected starter pinion and plate?

I hope that the crankshaft is not seized.

I'm sure is not caused by plugs, injectors.. It's purely mechanical issue.

When rotating engine with bar, push the accelerator at max to reduces the effort.

Try to remove the belt to see if alternator, pump... are not locked up.

Have you inspected starter pinion and plate?

I hope that the crankshaft is not seized.

I'm sure is not caused by plugs, injectors.. It's purely mechanical issue.


Thanks for reply. Oil level is high and son noted some overheating problems but not severe. Maybe headgasket and coolant in cylinders? I heard bearing maybe bad but do not understand what bearings or how to check. Any thoughts would be great. THanks again.

Check the smell and color of the oil. It may be fuel in there.

For the crankshaft bearings inspection, you need to remove plugs wire one by one, and crank the engine to hear the sound. With a damaged starter, it'll be impossible to do that.

The other way to inspect it is, drain all the oil, remove the pan, and visually inspect the crank bearings.

Check also the aspect and odor of the plugs: oil deposit...

Have you lost coolant?