So been having extended crank times for a while now when the truck is warm. Ice cold starts it fires right up no problem. If you park and go to start it after an hour or so, it has extended crank, I was thinking a leaky injector? Already has new fuel pump and filter, but anyways that's beside the point.
Anyway, today go to start it and there was this horrific noise that sounded like internal engine damage. Then it fired up and sounded fine and drove fine.
Is it possible the starter made this awful grinding noise? Like I said the engine is running perfectly fine and smooth, but the sound when it was cranking was so bad I don't even want to start it again lol.
I am guessing if it is the starter I would have to replace the entire thing, and not just the contacts like most people do for maintenance right? These sounds would likely warrant a complete replacement?
"horrific noise" is more likely a broken tooth, either on starter or flywheel. That causes a loud screech and then driver lets off ignition, tries again and it usually works.
Starters that need new contacts, usually just 'click' once, twice or thrice then start up, will continue getting worse until no more start. But this doesn't make a loud sound, just a click (plunger doesn't have enough current to engage starter to flywheel because contacts don't make a good contact).
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2001 Limited 4WD - 346+K - SunfireRed\Thunder Cloud; - 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2s - Fat Pat's 1.5" BL - StopTech ANGLED rotors - In series 699 trans cooler, New Yota1 transmission, All new OEM suspension front to rear.
"horrific noise" is more likely a broken tooth, either on starter or flywheel. That causes a loud screech and then driver lets off ignition, tries again and it usually works.
Starters that need new contacts, usually just 'click' once, twice or thrice then start up, will continue getting worse until no more start. But this doesn't make a loud sound, just a click (plunger doesn't have enough current to engage starter to flywheel because contacts don't make a good contact).
There's an inspection plate on the bottom of the engine where the transmission mates to the engine. If you are laying on your back under the vehicle and looking towards the front of the vehicle, it'll be a long black half-circle shaped plate held in place with 4 10mm bolts. One of them is near impossible to remove depending on your year and transmission type. I have no photos of the part but you can see the general area in this video:
Have a helper rotate the engine by hand using a 19mm socket and a long breaker bar. As it rotates, look for damage on the teeth of the flexplate as well as cracking near the center of the plate. If it checks out, it's not the flexplate and is the starter gear instead.
I am suspecting the starter bearings going. The flex plate fail mostly makes noise when engine running as well. A nasty knock when its cracking.. Just my thoughts on the issue...