M62TU Starter Noise?
 

1st time posting here but long time reader!

My 03 X5 4.4 has developed a loud metallic screeching noise on cold starts. Having done some research, I believe it is the starter motor hanging up, but I haven't been able to find a definitive answer to this. Can anyone confirm this is the issue I have?

Link to noise: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o7B...ew?usp=sharing

Within the last year I have replaced the following:
Full timing chain & guide service
Vanos units
Alternator
Drive belts, tensioner, & pulleys
Fan clutch
Cooling system overhaul (included valley pan, radiator, rear cooling pipe gaskets, WP and all hoses)
Intake reseal with vent valve & all the hoses in between
PS overhaul - everything but the pump
Motor mounts

Thanks for the insight!

Sure as heck sounds just like the (Bendix) gear on the starter motor is hanging up. A little quality lube should sort it.

You need to pull the starter to confirm. If you lose a tooth on the starter it can propagate around the flywheel you definitely don't want that


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Thanks for the info. I pulled the starter and confirmed there is wear on the outside of the bendix gear. Ended up ordering a rebuilt unit from FCP - will update once I have it installed.

The wear is the symptom, not the cause. The bendix hanging up and not retracting when the engine starts causes the wear. If the wear isn't bad, lubricating the bendix will usually sort it.

If the wear is bad, a new unit is in order.

+ 1

If as hard to get to as my 3.0, I would still replace just because of the difficulty in getting the sucker out. Keep the old one and maybe sell on eBay.

Quick update on this topic - Installed the new starter and it appears to have fixed my startup noise. Have not been able to reproduce that sound.

Good to know about lubricating the bendix gear, but ultimately decided to replace the starter for peace of mind. Old unit appeared to be original, and I didn't want to do this procedure again. Thanks for the help!

If there is wear on the Bendix you can also usually flip them over. The trailing edge is never meshed with the flywheel.

If you didn't core exchange might find a nice semi permanent home in your garage attic for an "I.C.E" starter.

When I replaced my alternator two weeks ago I had a strong suspicion it was just dirty brushes but I couldn't get into the VR without removing the alternator.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f6f6aa528c.jpg

Damn if I wasn’t correct and bought a new alternator when it just needed a shot of brake clean.

Sorry to bump an old thread.. but I have been having the same noise. Just when cold for one time in the morning there is a high pitched metal screeching noise for 2s right after it turns over. It is not the belt, I found a few clips of the bendix noise and it's that. This of course started shortly after I installed the clutch and has been getting worse day by day. I tried bumping the starter and not starting it etc and it still does it once no matter what.

Is there anything I can do without taking the intake manifold off??

I'm pretty sure I lined it up right and torqued both bolts ok. Maybe I should have cleaned something or lubed something and I didn't. Or I probably still didn't install it right who knows. I did have quite a fight with it and everything else during removal so it might have sustained some damage.

Can I just spray a bunch of lube towards it and hope it'll find its way maybe? haha. Is there any way to tap it or anything?

I guess I'll do the CCV and some other incidentals, there still is a fuel trim code there sometimes.