grinding noise at cold start

[judgejon]

Friends,

I've searched the forum on this issue, but no posts I found addressed this issue.

On the first cold start of the day I'm hearing a brief "grinding" sound from the engine.

Comes on after the starter kicks in and engine is turning over.  Very brief grinding sound.

I think it's coming from the right side of the engine, but not sure.

Does not occur when engine is warmed up after car has been driven around, at least not yet.

This does not sound like known and addressed issues of air pump, belts, or tappets.

2003 C4$.

Anyone experienced anything like this?  Thanks in advance.  Will contact inde next week.

 

 

[Ahsai]

Starter pinion hanging briefly?

[DBJoe996]

I'm with Ahsai on this one.  You probably need a new starter since it happens when you hit the starter.  The pinion gear flies out and engages the flywheel.  That is called the starter bendix.  If it hangs it will make a grinding noise.  Get a brand new Bosch starter, not a rebuilt starter.

[JFP in PA]

11 hours ago, judgejon said:

Friends,

I've searched the forum on this issue, but no posts I found addressed this issue.

On the first cold start of the day I'm hearing a brief "grinding" sound from the engine.

Comes on after the starter kicks in and engine is turning over.  Very brief grinding sound.

I think it's coming from the right side of the engine, but not sure.

Does not occur when engine is warmed up after car has been driven around, at least not yet.

This does not sound like known and addressed issues of air pump, belts, or tappets.

2003 C4$.

Anyone experienced anything like this?  Thanks in advance.  Will contact inde next week.

 

 

 

Usually, these problems are caused by the starter Bendix drive hanging up due to corrosion or build up on the starter shaft.  Pull the starter and clean the Bendix drive with something like WD 40, then dry it and lubricate it with DuPont Dry Teflon spray and reinstall the starter.

 

We do this all the time with customer cars with very few actually needing an expensive new starter.

[judgejon]

Thanks to the 996 regulars crew.

I'm calling inde tomorrow.

After posting I've been recording both cold/hot starts, and, of course, the issue has not repeated.

I do think it's worth taking a look at the starter.

[judgejon]

seems ok for now.  noise has not reoccured yet this week.

good inde instantly agreed with diagnosis of starter issue.

will pull starter at major service due in a few k miles, and likely replace with new.

[judgejon]

Update:

I have not noticed the problem for a few weeks, but a new starter is going in this week.

thanks again for the comments.  Cheers, jl

[Ahsai]

Maybe worthwhile to check out this video to make sure we're talking about the same noise before replacing anything. This video shows the starter pinion noise we've been talking about.

 

 

 

[judgejon]

Exactly same noise.  

I tried for days to get the sound on a video to post up, but it just didn't happen anytime on a cold or hot start.

I have not heard the sound since my post of Oct 8.  But it was there and I thought it best to just replace the starter.

I think most of us like to take care of things on a proactive and prophylactic basis.  

A Porsche is of course expensive to maintain, but I think an ounce of prevention is better than the proverbial pound of cure.

Cheers,

[Ahsai]

An easy case then :)

[judgejon]

New starter in today.  And a new relay as well.  And a new battery.

I'm picking up car tomorrow.  Inde says much improved crank.

Porsche quiz for all y'all:

Where is the relay and how do you get to it?

Bonus question:  where is the aux fuse panel and how do you get to it?

I now know the answers.  

Cheers,

 

[Ahsai]

The relay is under the rear parcel shelf, left side. Also a couple of high current fuses there, if you call that the auxiliary fuse panel :)

[judgejon]

Correct!  Ahsai wins the day!

In my car the Bose subwoofer shelf needed to come off first.

There is a noticeable difference when starting engine.

thanks again for the responses.  jl

[Ahsai]