Grinding noise when starting...

[djs]

I have a 1975 2.0. and have been experiencing a grinding noise that is getting louder. It happens when I crank the engine over. Just as it catches, there is a loud noise as the starter disengages from the flywheel. It sounds like the starter drive is not pulling back from the flywheel soon enough. I also now begin to notice the the cranking sound itself is getting louder.

Is this just the typical worn out starter drive, or should I be suspecting worse problems? The starter itself works fine, and I've never had a problem with a failure to engage the flywheel. It's just gotten a lot noisier.

Dan

[JP Noonan]

I would say at the least you are chewing up the flywheel. At worst something is coming loose, like the starter or flywheel.

I dunno if it were me I would look into it further, a little investigation now is better than a new flywheel later.

[michael]

I would pull the starter and check the starter teeth. Then rotate the engine by hand with the plugs out. Look at the flywheel teeth through the access port for timing or where the starter came out. Hopefully it is the starter, if not and the flywheel is chewed then new flywheel time dude...

[djs]

Thanks for the tips. I had a spare starter in my collection of 914 parts, and upon comparing with the one in my car, I noticed it was a lot easier to turn, in both directions. So, the problem was my starter drive not releasing fast enough, apparently.

I also noted that my flywheel teeth still looked good all the way around, so I caught this problem in time.