Hey guys

For the last couple of days, when I start the Max, it sometimes doesn't start first shot. I hear what sounds like a gear spinning... and eventually i hear almost grinding (like the spinning gear is slowly spinning another gear which eventually catches) so i stop starting the car. I then try again and it starts up. just fine.

I have a feeling it's my starter teeth which might be going bad... maybe? or (engine illiterate) the gear its' spinning is losing teeth?

also... this morning when i did start the car, i clutched (which felt unusually light) in and tried going into reverse. i started feeling and hearing grinding.
I let out the clutch and press it in harder and try again. Still it grinds (after trying 1st,2nd, then reverse again...)

temp outside is around 0 or -5 celsius... snowing. I have STS on shortest setting, redline/amsoil oil for MT and amsoil synth in engine.

Should I be getting the starter checked out? or could it be something else? And the clutch? I'm totally confused on that one.
The clutch is supposedly about a year and a half to 2 years old.


Thanks a bunch guys

 

Check out the "Clutch Issue. Need Help" post above this one started by way2fast95. All three of us seem to be having the same problem with the clutch as of yesterday. This cold weather is messing with our cars!! Good luck.

 

Go here, click on 'engine', then click on 'starter noise fix'.

http://www.motorvate.ca/

Mine would screech in cold weater.. I took it off and lubed it up, and no problems since.

Good Luck!

 

From his post, it sounds like the starter is spinning, but not fast enough to fling out and engage the flywheel. That "fix" listed on motorvate may help if more grease is needed to help things slide better. Most likely, the problem is that the starter isn't getting enough juice to spin fast enough to engage the flywheel. I would check the connections that lead to the starter for looseness and corrosion. Barring that, there is an internal problem with the starter and it needs to be replaced.

 

Yes, after re-reading the post.... It seems like the bendix assembly on the starter is bad.

You can either replace the bendix gear or get a new starter. The newest ones have 10 gear teeth, the older ones have 8. They are completely interchangable, and the 10 tooth model is an upgrade.

Good Luck!

 

I new there was a term for it, I just couldn't pull it out of my head.

 

dear god you guys are good!

I quickly checked with my bro who's done mechanics and he said the same thing... the bendix gear is probably the problem...

wow! Impressed hehe.

Oh... and i'm a complete idiot for posting the clutch thing...
I was positive i had the proper fluid levels, but my clutch fluid is totally empty... YET it was full about a week ago, when i checked my engine oil. So, i'm thinking i might have a leak somewhere, and now probably have air in my lines.



I added more brake fluid to the clutch line and pumped it, and nothing Now i'm gonna search how to bleed clutch lines. Hopefully i'll find tips on how to not freeze my butt off in this cold weather too.

damn this sucks.

 

Update!



My bro came over and helped me push the car into my parking spot since i can't go into any gear...

Welp, he decided to take a look at the bleeding spot for the clutch. AND he managed to get me car working again!! woot! I can't finally shift, and the only thing left to fix looks like the bendix gear thing.

Now, I have one final question... hehe
I bought DOT 4 brake fluid and put it in the clutch system.
What's the difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4?

Thanks.

As i go on searching for info...

-----------------
EDIT:
I should always research before posting huh...

link to DOT3,4,5 differences pro's and cons
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/brake-fluids.html