starter motor or broken flywheel?

[Oskar]

i get a huge mechanical sound when trying to start the engine,

Im sure its either the startermotor not engaging the flywheel or could it be the tooth circle thats broken on the flywheel?
ive tried pulling car in 4th gear to move flywheel but no improvement
gearbox and engine seem to sit tight and not loose

[Anders Dinsen]

You can inspect the teeth throuhg the inspection hole in the top of the bellhousing (also used for checking ignition with a timing gun). Put the car in 5th and push it forward to turn it.

Starter motors sometimes fail in the solenoid mechanism so it won't actually engage. That sounds horrible, but usually does not damage anything. I don't know how difficult the operation is on the 1.6, but I suggest you remove the starter motor to inspect it.

- Anders