starter grinding

So, I went to take a ride saturday, before I started my winter teardown to paint the engine and tackle a leaky head gasket (boo!). However, my starter made a sickening grinding sound. Anything I should look at first? I dont want to have to split the bottom end.....

 

Is the battery good & fully charged ?

 

yea, the battery was alright

 

Eliminate all of the other possibilities before assuming starter clutch:

-Weak battery (we've covered that.)

-Sluggish starter. Anything (such as a weak battery or excessive gumminess) that keeps the starter from spinning with vigorous authority can cause the symptom. The starter has to spin fast enough and with enough torque to cause the sprag clutch to actually "lock on" and spin the motor.

-Wrong oil, or it's gummed up. Again, preventing the rollers from getting a good "bite." This is why we avoid synthetics and friction-modified automotive oils.

Essentially any factor that prevents the sprag rollers from grabbing firmly to their center shaft will produce the symptom of a "bad starter clutch." While worn components and/or a cracked "body" can always be the problem, it's relatively rare; and there are other things that can fool you by mimicking the symptom.

 

I will try cleaning the starter out real good.... its not pretty

 

I bet the battery is not as good as you are thinking is.......

Dave fox

 

Dave, for some odd reason, i bet you are right..... I'll check it out + let you know. thanks!

 

It wouldn't a battery performs worse than its reputation, hum, I know people like that!