Yes, motor oil can damage the starter motor. Unfortunately, if this happens, the starter is the least of your worries. Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair advises that the leaking motor oil is most likely coming from a cracked cylinder block or head gasket. To repair either of these things is extensive. Aside from oil soaking the starter, age is also a factor in the starter’s health. If you drive a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on it, the starter motor will go bad sooner rather than later. Here are signs that it is.
Odd Pre-Ignition Noises
Your vehicle may make strange sounds before it ignites if the starter motor is going bad. Specifically, you may hear moaning, clicking, or whirring noises coming from the engine. These noises tend to start immediately after you turn the ignition key or press the start button. They should stop once the engine ignites. If they don’t, the starter has not is engaged. We recommend that you bring your vehicle straight to our shop if you hear any of these noises before the automobile fires up.
Completely Dead Engine
The reason why it’s important to tackle the problem immediately is to avoid the probability of a dead engine. If you get your automobile started, the noises are still an indication that the starter is going bad. This means that you may not be able to get your engine started the next time you try to fire it up. Unfortunately, at this point, it’s safe to assume that the starter motor has died completely and the starter needs to be replaced. We can do that at our shop.
Working Vehicle Lights
With a quick test, you may be able to determine whether your engine is dead because of the starter or because of a dead battery. Simply turn on your automobile’s lights to see if they are working. Check the interior lights, as well, to see if they are working. If your lights are illuminated, then the battery and the alternator are providing power. This points to a problem with the starter as the reason why you cannot get your vehicle’s engine to fire up.
Burning Odors and Smoke
Finally, if you notice burning odors and see smoke coming out from underneath the hood with your dead engine, you have overheated the starter motor trying to fire up your automobile.
Call Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair in Chesterton, IN, today if you suspect that it’s time for a new starter for your vehicle. We are here to help.