CarGuys: Grinding Noise on Cold Starts (1 Viewer)

[captain_amazing]

Looking for some ideas on what could be causing a grinding noise on cold starts with my 06 Hyundai Accent (auto) with about 210k.  On my first start of the day (or after it's been sitting awhile), right after my car starts I hear a grinding noise that lasts for about 1-2 seconds.  The noise has gotten worse (louder) over a few months.  After I start the car up, though, and leave it running even for a few seconds, the next starts don't have the grinding noise at all.

Also, as I think it may be related, my starter gets locked up occasionally, which prevents me from turning my key until I get the right jiggle (sometimes takes me 5 minutes before I get it right).  My mechanic said the starter is likely going, but just to wait until it really wears out or gets much worse to replace.

I wasn't sure if the grinding noise is simply another symptom of my starter going, or possibly another issue.  Any thoughts or advice?  I'd like to try and get a somewhat plausible diagnoses myself and can check things if asked before I go to my mechanic, but also realize that might not be possible.

 

[JetMaxx]

As with most issues it could be multiple things. The grinding could be the starter, could be a bad bearing on a belt pulley, etc. First thing I'd do is have someone else start it while you look at the engine with the hood up seeing if you could pinpoint where the noise is coming from. 

Although I've never used one, I've heard of using a pipe of a certain diameter from the engine to your ear to help pinpoint the location of an odd engine noise. Use with caution obviously.

 

[Doug B]

I've got a 1995 Nissan XE pickup that's on it's third starter. When the first two starters started going downhill, the symptoms were pretty much the same as you've reported in the OP -- especially the mysteriously improved start-ups with a warm engine. In both cases, the starters' Bendix gears were out of alignment. The grinding noise is from misaligned teeth from both the starter's drive pinion and the engine's flywheel scraping past each other due to the bad alignment.

This video goes through the specific issues. Hope it helps -- car troubles suck.

EDIT: sorry, man -- in the second link, the guy is working on an outboard motor, not an automobile engine. But the principle is the same. 

 

[captain_amazing]

Thanks to both.  I did have the hood open but couldn't really tell - really seemed to come from the middle of the compartment somewhere (I might just suck at this kind of thing).  

I'm going to bring in it next week for a diagnoses, but appreciate the ideas.