ls400beave

Hey need some advice. Started car yesterday and it instantly died. When I went to restart the motor will not turn over but the starter turns (the noise it makes is like when you already have a car running and you try to start and it make s that whine noise). I played with it and the engine turned just a bit and started and was running rough and when I hit the gas it died. Now it will not start at all. Just hear the starter making turning noise that is it. Any ideas? I am thinking it might be the timing chain (belt).. The car just had a new starter put in in March right before I purchased from Lexus dealership. The car is 98 with 226,000 miles. Thanks for the help!

midwest2

If it was just making that awful whine noise it could be the starter teeth or the ring-gear on the flywheel. But since you said it died instantly and won't restart, that doesn't sound good. How many miles on the t-belt? You do understand if it is the t-belt that your engine is likely toast? I'm not sure if the 98 has removable covers where you can see the belt?