"grinding" noise from the engine during "cold start"

[Shooter]

Hi there.
A little problem on my 2003 2.5i.
When i start the car with the engine "cold" (more than 2 days off, in fact), i hear a brief "grinding" noise coming from the engine.
It lasts for only a second or so, maybe even shorter, but it is annoying.
It doesn't happen if the engine is hot or if i take the car just after one night in the garage.
I'm due to make the oil service soon, for that matters.

Any idea what could be causing the noise ?

 

[Shooter]

Might have found the answer on Zpost.
It may be the starter engine not disengaging from the flywheel "soon enough", and might be a sign of a "soon to fail" starter.
Which is not a very good news...

 

[Curtis]

If it is the starter gear sticking on the shaft you could remove the starter and lubricate the gear and shaft. That should get it disengaging properly again and may prevent a failure.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I think mine is doing the same and have already attributed it to the starter not disengaging quickly enough on the 'firing' of the engine.


Been like it for months and not worsening so am leaving it for now

 

[Anonymous]

If it is the starter gear sticking on the shaft you could remove the starter and lubricate the gear and shaft. That should get it disengaging properly again and may prevent a failure.

Is this an easy DIY job? mine does the same thing, 04 3.0

 

[Curtis]

It's relatively straight forward. First disconnect the battery, remove the feed wires to the starter, remove the two bolts that hold the starter into the gearbox bellhousing, lift out the starter. You may have to remove the air intake pipe to make access easier.

Once the starter is out you can see the gear that engages with the flywheel ring gear. You should be able to move the gear in and out quite easily using a flat screwdriver. Lubricate the shaft that the gear moves on then check with the screwdriver that is nice and free then refit the starter. While the starter is out it's worth checking that the teeth on the ring gear aren't damaged or badly worn. They shouldn't be but you never know.

 

[*AL*]

It's relatively straight forward. First disconnect the battery, remove the feed wires to the starter, remove the two bolts that hold the starter into the gearbox bellhousing, lift out the starter. You may have to remove the air intake pipe to make access easier.

Once the starter is out you can see the gear that engages with the flywheel ring gear. You should be able to move the gear in and out quite easily using a flat screwdriver. Lubricate the shaft that the gear moves on then check with the screwdriver that is nice and free then refit the starter. While the starter is out it's worth checking that the teeth on the ring gear aren't damaged or badly worn. They shouldn't be but you never know.

As above! Saved me typing.

 

[Anonymous]

It's relatively straight forward. First disconnect the battery, remove the feed wires to the starter, remove the two bolts that hold the starter into the gearbox bellhousing, lift out the starter. You may have to remove the air intake pipe to make access easier.

Once the starter is out you can see the gear that engages with the flywheel ring gear. You should be able to move the gear in and out quite easily using a flat screwdriver. Lubricate the shaft that the gear moves on then check with the screwdriver that is nice and free then refit the starter. While the starter is out it's worth checking that the teeth on the ring gear aren't damaged or badly worn. They shouldn't be but you never know.

Sorry forgot to ask, does the car need to be jacked up off the ground for access ?

Thanks

Kryters

 

[*AL*]

Access is very good on the Z4 due to the long engine bay.Looks like you can get to it from the top ok, lhs of the engine bay. If you want there is also good access from underneath.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks all

Kryters

 

[Shooter]

Yep, thank you all for your answers.

 

[scottyD]

I think you can just be more careful about when you let go of the key when starting and that solves it.

solved it for me, anyway...

 

[scottyD]

edit: double post

 

[Anonymous]

I think you can just be more careful about when you let go of the key when starting and that solves it.

solved it for me, anyway...

How do you mean? I just turn the key and then let go, that's it, OR is it ?

thanks

Kryters

 

[nickpapa]

I think you can just be more careful about when you let go of the key when starting and that solves it.

solved it for me, anyway...

didnt even think of this. he could be right. might just be that the starter conitinues to work because you kept the key engaged just a tad bit too long. or does it happen even when you've let go of the key after starting?

 

[scottyD]

I dunno...I've had it happen a few odd times, after work, after being stuck outside in cold for while...

I haven't had it happen to me yet when I was a little more careful about how long I was holding the key to start it...

I found something about that noise being connected to the starter on the forum and wondered if i was holding it just a split second too long or something. I was under the impression that the noise was the result of holding the key a little too long, not any kind of other more serious issue, but maybe i'm mis-informed

 

[nickpapa]

you can try this (not something you want to do all the time), start the car, and once its started, turn the key again as if you're going to start it (be very quick, dont hold it there) it will make a grinding noise. then you'll know if its the same noise or not. if it is, then you're probably just holding the key when starting a little too long.

 

[Shooter]

In my case, it happens only when i left the car in the cold for at least a day or two, it never happens when the engine is hot. Also, it appeared only at the beginning of this winter, when the temperatures dropped several degres here in France.
Keeping the key in the start position will abviously make the same noise, since it is the core of the problem. But i don't think that i am keeping the key in place too long. Or maybe it is just my reflexes that are a bit "cold" also...

 

[cj10jeeper]

It's almost certainly the starter solenoid not retracting the gears wheel quick enough once the engine fires and key released. Compounded no doubt by the cold making things tighter and slower to move. As posted above mine does it. It only happens after parking overnight and never once warm.

 

[scottyD]

Thats probably the case

However, that being said, I still haven't had the noise occur when being very careful about when to let go of the key when starting the car...

I'll post again when the sound comes back