Clunk on start, but drives smooth.

[johnovision27]

Straight to the point.

The other day my gsx started making this strange clunking sound while cranking. Once the car starts, it sounds normal, but seems to rev a little higher the usual when it first starts.
The temperature recently dropped pretty significantly up here in Canada, so I thought that might be a contributing factor.....maybe.....

Either way, I had the oil pan off just last week, checked all the bearings and seals and everything is still rock solid internalwise.

I'm thinking I might of jumped a tooth on one of the cams, but I haven't been able to tell which one. The look like they just might line up, but again, unsure. Reasoning is, my car has recently developed a need to crank - nostart - crank - start. I think it might of stopped abruptly one time.

So, just looking for some input here from other members. Once started, runs smooth, accelerates smooth, and no other difference while driving, just while cranking.

Cheers

 

[CrawlinZX14]

Sounds to me like your car is cranking more because of the cold weather. The clunk could simply have been your starter not engaging all the way before it started to spin. Check your timing to make sure its all lined up, but unless its off, no reason to worry IMO. a clunk could be nothing but something getting stuck for a quick second especially in the cold weather. And the hard starts can be anything attributed to the same cold weather issues. My car takes an extra crank to fire too, and its still above freezing here.

 

[johnovision27]

I double checked the starter aswell just to make sure it didn't loosen and it's still nice and snug. Also, it's only a year old.
The other solenoid got stuck on the first crank of a new engine. That sound will make your eyes widen and your heart drop! haha

I'll be checking the timing as soon as I get a chance. Like I said, looks pretty close....

oh, and it still clunks after the engine has been warmed up....

 

[CrawlinZX14]

So it makes the same sound warm or cold but only when you engage the starter? I would find someone to turn the car over for you with the MPI fuse pulled and get under there and look at what is happening as the starter engages. Just because your solonoid is working right, does not mean the gear on the starter itself is sliding correctly. I would pull your MPI fuse and visually inspect the starter in action. Pull the MPI fuse so the car doesnt fire up and risk moving with you under it. That will make you need to change your pants if it lurches with you under it. I know from experience.

 

[johnovision27]

Sounds like a good idea, but MPI fuse? not sure what that is....

OH! nm.... engine fuse. *smacks head

 

[CrawlinZX14]

MPI kills your IGN system so you cant fire the car. Just dont forget to plug it back in when your done. I have done it before and you can never kick yourself hard enough after screaming for a day that it was running fine yesterday and now nothing, just to remember you pulled a fuse and forgot.

 

[johnovision27]

I'll be doing this Monday night, so you'll have to stand by for results. Damn sound makes me nervous, but runs/sounds exactly the same as it used to....
Hmmmm.......

 

[assassin3117]

Def. a starter bro. The shaft on the inside of the starter is not engaging all the way. Go ahead and replace it before it cracks your flywheel or starts breaking teeth off your flywheel. I've seen a few DSM's come into the shop with that issue some were lucky and some had to cough it up for a new flywheel.

 

[dsm44130]

Def. a starter bro. The shaft on the inside of the starter is not engaging all the way. Go ahead and replace it before it cracks your flywheel or starts breaking teeth off your flywheel. I've seen a few DSM's come into the shop with that issue some were lucky and some had to cough it up for a new flywheel.

agreed, its either the starter itself or your already missing teeth on the flywheel

 

[johnovision27]

I really hope it's the starter because its under warranty!! WOOT!! That and a new stroker block, that would just be a pissoff if something went south.......
But hey, it's just an excuse to finally throw in a new clutch

Stay tuned! I'll update come Monday evening.

Fyi, I pulled the MPI fuse, and it still clunked like a mofo....

 

[ENICKB]

Mine starts, and sounds REALLY REALLY rough when its cold started and below freezing outside, but after a minute or two shes all better. I figured its normal with DSMs. Bottom of my throttle body is blocked off. And my oil pressure needle is right between min and max, so I guess its kinda high, until it gets over 160 degrees, and then pressure drops, and she idles fine and runs strong.. But when shes cold, shes choking.

 

[CrawlinZX14]

I really hope it's the starter because its under warranty!! WOOT!! That and a new stroker block, that would just be a pissoff if something went south.......
But hey, it's just an excuse to finally throw in a new clutch

Stay tuned! I'll update come Monday evening.

Fyi, I pulled the MPI fuse, and it still clunked like a mofo....

Pull the MPI fuse and have someone turn the car over while your under it watching the starter. Or pull your starter and bench test it. Im willing to bet what happened was that a starter bolt is a bit loose, and when u tried to fire it one day it bent the actuator rod. and now its banging against the flywheel as it engages. But the MPI fuse is only so you can inspect it as it cranks so it can not start. You dont want to be under the car with it running unless you have a lift... And even then not normally recommended. Being that the engine is brand new, and thus the starter was recently put on it im going to bet you have a loose bolt that backed out. Or the starter bent the shaft. Thats my guess tho. Bolts are easy to check tho.

 

[johnovision27]

Timing checks out, all the teeth are on the flywheel. So, i'm putting the blame on the planetary gear in the starter.
Will update when a new one is installed.

 

[johnovision27]

Well, the starter crapped out in the middle of a snow storm, so I ended up replacing it with a new "correct" unit and long behold, it still grinds.

I thought I just didn't align it properly so I tried again for several hours tonight and now it's grinding worse then ever.
I'm at a total loss... No teeth are missing from the flywheel, but some area little banged up (still functional) and the starter gear is still looking in perfect shape.

Another note to the puzzle, When it's cranking, I can feel pressure pulsating on the clutch pedal.....

Any ideas folks?

Also... I notice a little give when trying to align the starter into the starter plate. Should I be tightening it closer to or further from the flywheel??

 

[johnovision27]

The issue was a FWD starter plate installed in my AWD. It was drilled so the holes would line up, but the guide for the actual starter was angled upwards towards the firewall. I'll be sure to post pictures when the job is finished.

 

[CrawlinZX14]

Glad you figured it out and its nothing super horrible to do.