Questions and Answers

Grind Me A Pound Q. Hi Vincent, I have yet another question about my 1985 Chevy S-10 4x4 Pickup. The engine is a 2.8 liter V-6 and auto transmission. This particular problem has been occurring for roughly 1 1/2 years. What happens is that every so often when I try to start the engine there is this horrible grinding sound.

The sound is the same as if you were to try to start an engine that is already running. This does not happen too often. Sometimes it will do it several times a day, sometimes it has done it at least once a day over a weeks time, and it has gone 1 to 2 months at a time without ever doing it.

I've heard that possibly the flywheel is damaged but I find it hard to believe since this engine was installed brand new in 1995 and only had 25,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2000. Somebody also mentioned that the bendix may be bent or the solenoid doesn't work properly sometimes. I also feel it may not be shimmed correctly because the starter makes a whining-like sound after I release the key when the engine has started. This starter really cranks fast, too!

I have not actually looked at the starter and flywheel yet since I haven't had the time. What is your opinion on this situation? What do you think is the culprit: the flywheel, starter, or a bit of both? Any tips on checking the starter for proper shimming and/or flywheel inspection would be a great help.

I'd also like to thank you for the help you have given me in previous question and answer pages. This is a very nice and helpful resource that I wish I knew of sooner. Keep up the good work!

Thanks again!

A. Well Gene, it looks like you already have a firm grasp of all the possibilities.There' really nothing more I can add to the list.

I would think the most likely cause of the noise is the starter solenoid. If it doesn't throw the bendix out far enough to engage the flywheel, it will grind. If you replace the starter, I would take a long, hard look at the flywheel. What I do is paint a mark on it and spin it around looking at the teeth very carefully. If you read my article: DIY: Starters/Solenoids I tell how to check and adjust shims in necessary. Now you can get thick and thin shims. I would use the thin ones for adjusting and the thicker ones to replace an equal thickness of thin shims.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA