Questions and Answers

Ford Expedition Is A Grinder Q. Dear Vincent: I have a 1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 5.4 Liter V-8, automatic transmission, EFI, 170,000 miles with a CompuStar remote-start system and runs like a charm. However, on and off for the past year, I hear a random "grinding" noise when I start the car, as if the car was already on. My normal intuitions tell me that the starter is faulty.

When I got the remote starter, it seemed as if every other month or so, when I use the remote to start the car, it would grind, try again, and usually if I stop it from attempting and wait a while, it starts fine, however, there was a loose "clanking" sound that I began to hear while starting.

Anyway, I decided not to play around with it any longer and got a new starter installed about a month ago. When I had the new starter installed, the "clanking" sound went away and everything ran fine, at least for a while.

When I got the remote starter, it seemed as if every other month or so, when I use the remote to start the car, it would grind, try again, and usually if I stop it from attempting and wait a while, it starts fine, however, there was a loose "clanking" sound that I began to hear while starting.

Anyway, I decided not to play around with it any longer and got a new starter installed about a month ago. When I had the new starter installed, the "clanking" sound went away and everything ran fine, at least for a while. A few days ago, I heard the grinding noise again while using the remote start. I went back to the auto shop to have them check it out, and they said everything was fine, starter, flywheel, everything.

When I got the remote starter, it seemed as if every other month or so, when I use the remote to start the car, it would grind, try again, and usually if I stop it from attempting and wait a while, it out, with the same result, everything was fine. I couldn't get the grinding to start, it is a VERY random problem. But it seems as if they don't notice the "clanking" sound; maybe they think it's a cheap starter.

It has a lifetime warranty, so I was told to just put another starter in. The different suggestions I've heard so far was a possible alternator problem, which I paid $30.00 to have told it was ok too, a solenoid problem, which is on the starter itself, and maybe a power issue. I have subwoofers that drain the energy from the battery often, but do not kill the car's power, or even that the "tach" on the remote starter needs to be lowered. What is the problem?

Furthermore, I hear that the engines in trucks of this capacity die out around 200,000 miles. My engine runs fine, I make sure I keep the required maintenance done on it. Will that ever be a problem, and if so, how should I approach it? Engine overhaul? New engine? What should I do?

Thanks!

A. The grinding noise you describe says damaged flywheel to me. You can check it yourself by removing the starter and looking at the flywheel. Use a marker to put a mark on the flywheel so you will know when you have gone around. Then have someone slowly turn the engine over by hand and look at the teeth on the flywheel.

I'm willing to bet you a lunch that you will see some damaged teeth.

As for how long the engine will last... I couldn't tell you. But if you keep up good maintenance it should last longer than 200,000 miles. If you decide to replace it when it is finally shot, I would go with a remanufactured engine, assuming the rest of the vehicle is in good shape and makes it worth the expense.