Post by Nelson on Feb 21, 2018 12:23:50 GMT
It doesn't rain it pours...
Non breakdown few weeks ago when the car refused to start. Grinding noise when turning the key. Would then fire on 3rd or 4th attempt. Following start-ups would be fine, but then successive start-ups would bring this grinding noise.
Initially thought it was the starter motor playing up I had that replaced, not that expensive (also had some Bosch Aerotwin wipers fitted...damn they are good, I digress).
First impressions in the days after having the new starter motor fitted suggested all was good, used to car for a trip to Cambridge for my birthday weekend and it fired up smoothly, quickly and quietly, all seemed well.
Then, yesterday, was parked up and went to start it and the high pitched grind was back. My heart sank.
Only thing it could be was worn flywheel (DMF) cogs grinding against the starter motor cogs and 'jumping '. The flywheel was replaced just over 2 years ago along with the clutch at significant cost. I have only driven 11k miles since then so i didn't think a flywheel would fail (again) after such a short mileage. But i could be wrong...i rang the garage that fitted the clutch/flywheel and they effectively laughed at me when i asked what warranty came with the part. They said 2 years or 25k miles whatever came first and wouldn't entertain looking at the car again. I argued that i have the possibility of a failing flywheel only 11k miles into its life and that i could be left with another significant bill to replace it again.
I spoke to my mechanic friend in Daventry who fitted the starter motor (who i trust more than the local garage i have been taking my car too) and he says that he will replace the starter motor again free of charge but also see if he can see any damage to the cogs on the flywheel (without going to the expense at the moment of removing the gearbox). Booked in for this Monday.
This does sound like a worn flywheel issue. Anything else it could be?
It's definitely not a battery or electrical issue, new battery fitted last year and it's not as if it doesn't start, it occasionally 'grinds' when starting.
Thoughts?
Non breakdown few weeks ago when the car refused to start. Grinding noise when turning the key. Would then fire on 3rd or 4th attempt. Following start-ups would be fine, but then successive start-ups would bring this grinding noise.
Initially thought it was the starter motor playing up I had that replaced, not that expensive (also had some Bosch Aerotwin wipers fitted...damn they are good, I digress).
First impressions in the days after having the new starter motor fitted suggested all was good, used to car for a trip to Cambridge for my birthday weekend and it fired up smoothly, quickly and quietly, all seemed well.
Then, yesterday, was parked up and went to start it and the high pitched grind was back. My heart sank.
Only thing it could be was worn flywheel (DMF) cogs grinding against the starter motor cogs and 'jumping '. The flywheel was replaced just over 2 years ago along with the clutch at significant cost. I have only driven 11k miles since then so i didn't think a flywheel would fail (again) after such a short mileage. But i could be wrong...i rang the garage that fitted the clutch/flywheel and they effectively laughed at me when i asked what warranty came with the part. They said 2 years or 25k miles whatever came first and wouldn't entertain looking at the car again. I argued that i have the possibility of a failing flywheel only 11k miles into its life and that i could be left with another significant bill to replace it again.
I spoke to my mechanic friend in Daventry who fitted the starter motor (who i trust more than the local garage i have been taking my car too) and he says that he will replace the starter motor again free of charge but also see if he can see any damage to the cogs on the flywheel (without going to the expense at the moment of removing the gearbox). Booked in for this Monday.
This does sound like a worn flywheel issue. Anything else it could be?
It's definitely not a battery or electrical issue, new battery fitted last year and it's not as if it doesn't start, it occasionally 'grinds' when starting.
Thoughts?
