I'm having an issue with my GX470, and I'm about to scrap it to avoid the rabbit hole of diagnosis and repair. Need some advice. My 2004 GX470 has about 265,000 miles. A week or so ago it was struggling to start (but would), and was accompanied by a scraping sound for about 10 seconds after running. I thought it might be a bad batter. New battery improved the situation, but still struggled. A couple of days with new battery I started the car up again (struggled) and then I heard a grinding / scraping noise that persisted while the car idled. Shut it down, waited a few days, and when I went back to start it the battery was very low and the engine wouldn't turn over at all. It was like the started couldn't do anything. Charged the battery (AGM batt but charged with old school analog charger) to full, but starter / engine still wouldn't crank. Battery seemed to tank after a few key twists too, like no accessories or anything. Took it to mechanic who proceeded to pull plugs and accessory belt, but couldn't get the engine to turn over manually. Took out starter, engine still seized at first, but then finally gave way and turns freely now. Bore scope says cylinders are fine. Mechanic is convinced that main bearing or crank is damaged. Will cost $600-800 to put in new starter and engine back together to test. Am I screwed? Anyone experienced anything like this? I've heard it's strange for these engines just to tank. And there was no catastrophic occurrence that I detected while the engine was running (except the scraping noise), and I turned it off the last time.
GX470 Not Starting. Blown engine? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Cyberlocke
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
@Cyberlocke
A buddy of mine has had two 4.7s that appeared to be 'seized' when in fact, the starter disintegrated and locked the engine. I would have the shop (or yourself) install a starter and try to fire it up. Until it's running and you test oil pressure and listen for odd sounds, I wouldn't claim internal engine damage.
A buddy of mine has had two 4.7s that appeared to be 'seized' when in fact, the starter disintegrated and locked the engine. I would have the shop (or yourself) install a starter and try to fire it up. Until it's running and you test oil pressure and listen for odd sounds, I wouldn't claim internal engine damage.
I'm with SteveH on this as well. When I read your description, my mind goes to a starter malfunction (bendix failing to disengage causing the grinding/scraping noise). This condition can also draw on your battery. This will lead to a total starter failure. I suppose there could be damage to the flywheel that might interfere with turning it over manually but you should be able to inspect that with the starter out. There may be an access plug on the bottom of the bell housing that you can remove and check as well.
IMHO, it's hghly unlikely that the motor seized without any other signs or overheating event. Although the 4.7L starter job is more tedious than most, it beats an engine replacement. Good luck!
IMHO, it's hghly unlikely that the motor seized without any other signs or overheating event. Although the 4.7L starter job is more tedious than most, it beats an engine replacement. Good luck!
This☝
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the input, everyone. My mechanic has quoted me $600 - $800 for a new starter and getting it all put back together. I'm tempted, but being $750 in already (and the more than $3,000 I put into cooling system repairs earlier this year), I just feel like I keep throwing good money after bad. And money is tight right now. And clunker junker sites are offering $1200 as is. And my mechanic seems convinced it's shot. He did say the starter came out very easily, wasn't seized at all. Maybe I'll try it on my own, but I'm gonna need another car in the meantime anyway. Ahh, decisions.
Get a diff mechanic....seriously get a 2nd opinion from a diff shop. 4.7 are robust
