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Bad noises from my 328 sarter

Discussion in '308/328' started by mspelt, Jun 20, 2011.

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  1. mspelt

    mspelt Formula Junior

    May 28, 2010
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    Mark Pelt
    #1 mspelt, Jun 20, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Night before last when I started my car (1988 328) I heard a rattling sound after start up on the drivers side (Bellhousing area). The sound went away within a minute and drove fine. The next evening when I tried to start the car the starter sounded terrible as if it were loose. The car started and ran fine but decided against taking her out.

    I have had many different cars that had different kinds of starter issues (noise) and have rebuilt or replaced my fair share but have never heard a sound like it was loose.

    I have 2 questions related to this.

    1. Has anyone heard this sound from their starter or know what it might indicate? My guess is the pinion gear-spring-arm etc is loose or the bushing is worn. Can't imagine the starter itself has come loose.

    2. If I am going to remove the starter for a rebuid should I put in the new gear reduction starter?
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  2. roalda

    roalda Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
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    Roy
    #2 roalda, Jun 20, 2011
    Are you sure it is that side, you can get a metalic chattering noise from the aircon belts when they are dry it sounds terrible (static build up and discharge) it disapeares after a short while, try spraying some wd40 on the belts and see if it stops before removing the starter.
    Regards, Roy
     
  3. mspelt

    mspelt Formula Junior

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    #3 mspelt, Jun 20, 2011
    It is definetly a metal rattle sound from the starter. It is quite loud now and only happens when I try and start the car.
     
  4. roalda

    roalda Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
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    #4 roalda, Jun 20, 2011
    Let us know how you get on, be interested to know what is causing the rattle (pics will help).
    Regards, Roy
     
  5. mspelt

    mspelt Formula Junior

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    #5 mspelt, Jun 21, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well I got the starter out and was quite surprised at what I found. I have never seen this before but wrenching on cars is not my primary job. Anyone else have this happen?

    Sure glad I didn't drive it after I heard the rattling sound. No telling what this piece could have done to the flywheel, clutch, etc. I was praying when I got the starter out that the piece that was broken off would be easy to reach from the starter mounting hole. I was lucky it was sitting just inside the hole and in one piece!


    At least the decission to go with the gear reduction starter will be easier.
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  6. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
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    #6 Iain, Jun 21, 2011
    Wonder what caused that? Weird

    Unless you can find a SH one - the same unit fits 308/Mondi QVs , 328s/Mondi 3.2s & Testarossas - with the (insane) price of a replacement it'll probably be less expensive to go the gear reduction route anyway.
     
  7. mspelt

    mspelt Formula Junior

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    #7 mspelt, Jun 21, 2011
    I have seen this starter for $399.00 but went with the gear reduction starter for $425.00 since I had to spend that much anyway.

    It is strange that it would break like that. I have never mistakenly engaged the starter while the engine was running and that seems to me a scenario that would possibly cause this. Maybe someone else might have a guess at what could cause this.
     
  8. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
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    #8 Iain, Jun 21, 2011


    I'd say more likely that's just a casting failure. Perhaps its been off the car and dropped at some point in the past? Maybe I'm wrong but I can't see that you could do that even by engaging the starter with the engine running.

    $399 for a Ferrari starter is WAY WAY less than anything I've seen - sure thats not an exchange price? (if so they may not want one with a broken casting!). The Ferrari price is nearer $1600 including sales tax here.

    I thought these Starters were unique to Ferrari (as per the Alternators). Does anyone know different?

    What I do know (having just had both mine rebuilt) is that the guts of them are just standard Bosch components & very inexpensive. It was my understanding that the "unique" parts are the casings. As long as the casings are OK then they are pretty cheap to rebuild.
     
  9. mspelt

    mspelt Formula Junior

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    #9 mspelt, Jun 21, 2011
    Yes the $399.99 is a remanufactured one with a core charge of $90.00 which isn't bad. I think you are right though about taking mine with the broken casting as a core.
     
  10. AMA328

    AMA328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2002
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    #10 AMA328, Jun 23, 2011
    I bought the newer, smaller, lighter, better replacement starter a couple of years ago off of ebay. The seller had 'em listed at several -different- price points, so poke around a bit before you buy.

    Much better than the original starter, but one hell of a pain in the ass to install. Really tight, tight spacing. Plus, the starter had a small plastic shell around a male connector that was too small for the female wire(HA!), so I had to cut it away.

    Maybe with better tools one could replace it easily, but I had a very difficult time swapping this out.

    Works much better and zippier than the original, tho.
     
  11. MNExotics

    MNExotics F1 Rookie
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    #11 MNExotics, Jun 24, 2011
    I have a spare starter that I would consider parting with. Let me know if you are interested
     

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