Help Please - What's this noise when starting the car?

[tlv15]

I just purchased a 911 Carrera 2 convertible this year. Weeks after it started making this noise when starting the car, but ONLY when the car is cold. I changed the serp belt (which was shot) and that's not it.

Any ideas?

http://youtu.be/0E_J54UYKL8

100%

Thanks all,

Tim

[txhokie4life]

I just purchased a 911 Carrera 2 convertible this year. Weeks after it started making this noise when starting the car, but ONLY when the car is cold. I changed the serp belt (which was shot) and that's not it.

Any ideas?

http://youtu.be/0E_J54UYKL8

100%

Thanks all,

Tim

Tim 100% it's your starter.

Replaced 2 of them that made the exact same sound.

Mike

[JasonStern]

Tim 100% it's your starter.

Replaced 2 of them that made the exact same sound.

Mike

+1 on it being the starter. My BMW R1150R was making the same sound. Apparently, there was a high success rate of fixing the problem by disassembling, thoroughly cleaning, lubricating, and then reassembling. However, special tools would have been needed, and a new aftermarket replacement starter with a warranty was under $100, and I didn't want to chance being stranded due to a starter failure, so I replaced it and kept the noisy starter as a spare. Since new aftermarket 996 starters are similarly priced, I recommend going that route. But, if money is tight and you have access to tools, it might be worth disassembling, thoroughly cleaning, reassembling, lubricating, and reinstalling. A starter failure is more inclined to either stop turning over entirely or not provide enough torque/momentum for the engine to catch, whereas dirt clogging a starter or the starter lacking proper lubrication is more prone to making noises similar to what your car appears to exhibit. Worst case, you are just out some time, but again I only recommend that if money is tight.

Whatever you decide on doing, if you do the work yourself, make sure to disconnect the battery before removing the starter. Safety first.

[rallygabe]

Yeah, that is the sound of your Bendix not retracting in time and over-spinning the starter mechanism.

complete agreement with fixes listed above!