Starter Motor Noise

[Von]

I know I am going to regret asking this as it will probably cost me!

When I start the car and it is warm, the starter motor makes a grinding noise just after the engine has fired. Only lasts about a second and does not happen when I start the car from cold. As most of my journeys are too and from work, so the engine is cold on starting, I only notice this occasionally. Should I be worried? Does anyone know what is causing this? Or should I just ignore it unless it gets worse? Its a HGT 155 10, years old now, 75,000 on the clock.

 

[Sven]

There is a small teeth wheel on the starter called bendix, that part slides in and out when you start the car - its sticking a bit so it wont return the second you let the key go. It stays locked a bit, so it gets grinded a bit when that happens.
Usually a few taps on in helps, but in general, its a starter down job.

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[Darren]

as Sven said ^

You could also try a bit of WD-40 on the starter motor solinoid to help it move in and out.

Darren

 

[Von]

Thanks Guys

Another job for the 'mechanic'. Will get Tim to give it a spray with WD40 and a tap it with a birmingham screwdriver.

Just out of curiosity, where is the damn starter motor, easy to find or buried under that block? Tim probably knows, but if I can knowlwdgeably point to it, it might help as he hates working on cars.

Thanks

Von

 

[Anonymous]

A bit contradictory here. The bendix and the solenoid should be absolutely dry.

 

[Von]

Anyone else, and could someone point me in the right direction to find the damn thing please? We have a repair manual on disc, but its for the whole range and trying to find anything on it is a pain in the a***.

 

[Joske]

On most bravos the starter motor is found at the lower rear side of the engine on the passengers side. The starter is connected to the transmission end of the engine.

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[Von]

Thanks Joske.