1998 1999 Chevy Suburban with 5.7
Breaking starters & flywheels?

Expert's Answer

What is usually wrong is the distributor, crank sensor, or bad crank sensor signal (pinched wire, etc) is bad and needs to be replaced when it acts up it will change the timing and cause the engine to kick back and damage the starter and/or flywheel.

Condition:

Some customers may comment on one or more of the following conditions:

> Backfire during crank/start

> "Kickback" during crank/start

> "No" start

> "Slow" or "hard" start/crank

> "Grinding" or unusual noises during crank/start

> Cracked or broken engine block at the starter boss

> Broken starter drive housing

> Broken starter ring gear on flywheel

> Any combination of the above

Also:

Inspect for a stored power train DTC code P0338. This DTC will NOT illuminate the "Service Engine Soon" light. If this code is stored, the Crankshaft Position sensor MUST be replaced and the remaining components inspected for damage (engine block at the starter boss, the starter drive housing, and the engine flywheel starter ring gear).

Cause:

A condition may exist that allows the crank sensor to command up to 50 extra degrees of spark advance during engine cranking only. This in turn exposes the engine to higher than normal cylinder pressures which may result in an inoperative condition to the starter drive housing, the engine flywheel starter ring gear, or the engine block at the outside edge of the starter boss.

Important : Some flywheel wear is normal; broken or missing teeth and/or cracks, are not normal.