New starter issues?

[TheFunk]

Hey guys. My starter recently started acting up so I bought a new one and just installed it.
However I'm not sure if it's sounding like it should.

Here is a cold start last night with the old Denso starter:


and here is me starting it just a few minutes ago with a warm engine and the new aftermarket starter.



To me, it sounds like there is some metal on metal sound that shouldnt be there... and it continues a bit and it winds down a bit after the engine starts.
Or is that a normal sound for one of these? I've heard aftermarket starters sometimes need to be shimmed so that everything lines up right.

First time changing a starter, was super easy... almost too easy?

[TheFunk]

Been using it a bit since, that noise just doesn't sound right...

[TheFunk]

So the new starter just made that grinding noise my original starter made in first video.
Should I take it back or is there a chance it's not the starter that's the issue?
Sound is worse than nails on a chalkboard.

[Tishock]

[TheFunk]

Thanks for posting that however I'm not sure if it's relevant to the issue I am experiencing.
I don't know much about starters or how to describe that sound so searching around hasn't gotten me anywhere.

Seems to be random as far as when it does it, and the problem got worse pretty fast after the first time it made the noise.
It hasn't had any problems disengaging the starter.
No issues/odd sounds when idling.
Engine doesn't turn at all when it makes the sound and has no trouble turning over when it's operating as it should.

I certainly can't afford it right now but I suppose I'll go get another starter and try that and report back when/if it makes that sound.

[EsperHamid]

I don't think it is well installed, it took me some time to install it back and I am talking about the original starter, not an aftermarket, I didn't change mine, just opened it and cleaned it then greased its gear and installed it back ... the installation wasn't quite easy at all especially when reaching to torque the bolts

do it again

[TheFunk]

I don't think it is well installed, it took me some time to install it back and I am talking about the original starter, not an aftermarket, I didn't change mine, just opened it and cleaned it then greased its gear and installed it back ... the installation wasn't quite easy at all especially when reaching to torque the bolts

do it again

This is good advice, although I had no issues getting it in or torquing the bolts down with the battery and holder removed. Better to try this first though, I had someone tell me it could be because it needs to be shimmed so I'll likely try that before replacing it.

[Losiracer2]

sounds fine to me? Mine actually scratches a bit because I've got a light weight fidanza flywheel...something's not lined up right with the teeth but I just deal with it.

[cb9love]

when you took your old starter out were the teeth on it wore or chewed?
the first starter video sounds like missing teeth on the fly wheel or the starter.
if the teeth on the starter look normal then likely you have a spot on the fly wheel that has worn or broke away. you said it happens randomly with the starter this makes me think wore spot on the fly wheel or starter teeth.

[Tishock]

Continually doing that will eventually lead to this.

[cb9love]

Continually doing that will eventually lead to this.

nice visual

[Tishock]

Follow the diagnostics steps on the sheets I posted earlier. That sound is the starter not making full contact with the flywheel ring gear.

I just happen to have my starter off on Saturday so I took some pics.

[TheFunk]

Well I'm currently bedridden and loaded up on painkillers waiting for some oral surgery to remove an infection... So it will be a while before I can pull it and check.

However when I took the old one out I didn't see any real wear on the gear, held it up to the new one and it looked the same. The problem started right before I had my clutch replaced and my mechanic was aware of the issue.
He resurfaced the flywheel so I think he would have told me if it was noticeably damaged.