Hi guys, noticed the past few mornings and when getting into the car to go home from work that when I first start the engine there is a quick kind of grinding noise from the engine for a second straight after starting. The kind of noise you hear when you have just changed your engine oil and start it for the first time while the oil gets back around the engine. I checked my oil last night and it was just about at the L marker so topped it back up 3 X's on the dipstick but it is still doing it. Car usually is parked on a slope so could this be the issue or should it not do this when it has ample oil? only does it when its cold and been sat a while. I've only had the car a few days now so any help what to look for would be great, thanks

It's a year 2000 with 76k miles on the clocks.

 

Mine started doing the same since couple winters ago. I concluded that it was my starting motor sticking. Only does it when the weather/engine is cold.

Keep the engine oil level checked regularly and keep it close to the full mark.

 

starter sticking. common problem with the s2000 starters. nothing to be worry about.

 

...and it goes away omce weather turns warm. So not to worry that its gonna do this from now on or anything.

Have you seen the thread for things new owners should do/check/know about? Tons of good things there.

 

I'm in California and would only get the grind a few days a year on the coldest of days (40-50 degrees).

Now I'm getting it EVERY SINGLE DAY even when temperatures are 50-60 on cold startup.

Safe to say this will keep getting worse?

I've searched, but haven't found an easy fix

 

This was a normal thing with my 02 ap1.


sticky starter bendix, only when cold outside, on a cold start, and only occurred for a split second after the engine started.


it never caused a problem.


jagg

 

What everyone here has posted. Kind of a seasonal defect for me. Either bring her out before true spring or drive her late into the season. Been doing it for 6-8 years now and never an issue. Temp warms up and "issue" goes away.

Utah

 

Sounds like the pinion gear is worn. Maybe, the flywheel ring gear, too? An aside... four cylinder engines usually show more wear at four equi-distant parts of the ring gear. Well, in my experience.


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Only been a member a few days and i've been a member on a lot of forums, alot of forums you find can be quite cliquey and rude towards members not in their "inner circle". But this forum is excellent, nothing like that, everyone has a common passion for these cars, a wealth of knowledge, and more than happy to help a newbie to these cars such as myself.

Thanks for the help

 

Another satisfied customer, lol.

I love reading posts like this.