interesting noise upon starting

FL_forlife33 · Jan 8, 2010

i noticed this last winter, and now it's even worse this winter as i moved 200 miles north into a little colder weather. whenever it gets cold here (i'm in FL, so when i say cold i mean like in the 30's, sometimes 20's. except recently it's been frigid by our standards! in the teens at night)... there is a noise right after i start the truck after it's been sitting and is completely cold. the noise sounds like it's coming from right behind the dash and firewall, or under the dash and firewall. it sounds like a minor scraping, and only happens like 2 or 3 times and then never again. until the next time i let it sit overnight in cold cold weather. by scraping i mean it's not grinding, squealing, knocking, pinging, or anything. it's kind of like a click though...

i have a pretty good sense of what most noises could be, and this is so weird. could it be the starter? cause it ONLY happens when i start it, when engine is really cold.

anybody else have this happen to them?

Earl43P · Jan 8, 2010

Could be the starter.

Remove it and clean the gear and its shaft, regrease with lubriplate.

Removing the two long bolts and the two screws will get you more areas to clean up, but usually isn't needed.

Do disconnect the battery first, but you needn't unhook the wires on the starter. Let it hang, douche it, hit it with some spray lithium grease, whatever, and throw it back in. 13 mm socket for the starter bolts. Easy.

Cheaplabor · Jan 9, 2010

You Florida people are funnny, you want to hear a funny noise try starting your truck after sitting at-20* for a few days. Engine whines, belts squeal, power steering is stiff, 20* has been a high starting temp for my truck since about mid October.

Aramis · Jan 9, 2010

Do you have A/C ? (I would think you probably do)

I believe I know what you're talking about... Whenever mine's been sitting for more than a day or two, when I start it, seems like the AC compressor kicks in for 1-2 seconds right after start, and it makes some noise like it's ruffed up but again, only lasts 1-2 seconds and then it's fine...

That it?

FL_forlife33 · Jan 9, 2010

nope

believe it or not, my ac doesn't work, so i don't run it at all. you really only NEED AC in like july and august here, otherwise the windows down is much more enjoyable anyways.. but august is brutal!

i wish i could describe the noise better, it sounds like something gets caught in the turning of a gear system, and makes a few noises when going around a couple revolutions, then flies out. this is what is SOUNDS like, not to say that's what it is.

i will take the one guy's advice and take off the starter and clean it up, never done that before, it would be cool to learn. and i looked at it under the truck today and it's filthy!

FL_forlife33 · Jan 10, 2010

not sure

Earl43P said:
Could be the starter.

Remove it and clean the gear and its shaft, regrease with lubriplate.

Removing the two long bolts and the two screws will get you more areas to clean up, but usually isn't needed.

Do disconnect the battery first, but you needn't unhook the wires on the starter. Let it hang, douche it, hit it with some spray lithium grease, whatever, and throw it back in. 13 mm socket for the starter bolts. Easy.

i got the three 13mm bolts out and pulled out the starter from the tranny/flywheel and let it hang as much as it would. i wanted to just pull it out completely and clean it up a bit, but since my truck is 4 wheel the front differential i right there, and i'm not sure it's possible to get it out completely. maybe if the truck was in the air i could wriggle it out somehow, but on my back i tried everything, it won't clear the differential and oil pan.

oh well, it only makes this noise when it's cold, and the truck starts fine everytime. i'll deal with it if it breaks. thanks for the help

Earl43P · Jan 10, 2010

The only part you needed to expose was the tapered nose with the gear on it.
Spray the shaft the gear slides in/out on, slide the gear back and forth, rag it off. Hit it with a spray lube and reinstall. Only need to pull it out 4 or 5 inches to do that. That's why I said don't bother disconnecting the electrical because it doesn't have to move far.

interesting noise upon starting

FL_forlife33

15+ Year Member

Earl43P

15+ Year Member

Cheaplabor

15+ Year Member

Aramis

15+ Year Member

FL_forlife33

15+ Year Member

FL_forlife33

15+ Year Member

Earl43P

15+ Year Member

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