Hey guys, my car does this weird grinding like noise when I start it up for the first time in the morning. It use to do this a few times a week but now its been happening almost daily. I took a video of it this morning. Video You can kind of hear a "Ksstuh" like noise as soon as the engine turns. The sound is more prevalent and noticeable in person. I've looked around the forums and found out many people have a sticky starter that causes this. I just wanted to make sure it was the starter not retracting fast enough and not something more serious. Car is a 2000 @170k miles on a rebuilt engine.

 

yeah the bendix pin on the starter is the culprit, at 170k that starter doesn't owe you a dime , lol.

 

If you need a starter I have one. Pm me if interested

 

Do I need to replace the whole starter? Will it cause problems in the long run or is it just annoying?

 

its the starter for sure mine does this exact thing on cold mornings

 

Sounds like the notorious sticking starter. Replacing the starter is more trouble than its worth IMO; unless you're already doing a clutch swap or something else that requires you to already be in the area. Its not hurting anything other than your ego when other people hear it and say, "Dude, what's wrong with your car?" Lol.

 

Change your starter. Game over.

 

Mine does this as well. I found that if I shorten the time I push the start button I can avoid the grinding 90% of the time. It's a bit tricky to learn to release the button before the engine starts. I am quite good now.

 

I just had starter replaced with a used one. Started making the noise again, only slightly different pitch??
Think I got a bad starter? I've also had the timing chain tensioner replaced.
Any ideas?

Auido