Starter Motor squeal after engine starts.

[Terry-Stag]

Hi

Hopefully someone can help as my Stag has a terrible habit of making a very metallic squeal after the engine starts and you have stopped turning the key. It generally starts first time but then its like the starter motor has overrun or something like that.

Oh and my car is an automatic if that could make any difference and it is a 1976 model?

It does this most times from cold and only sometimes when warm.

Any help you can give would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Terry

[richardthestag]

Posting to the Technical section was a bit of a fail. I have moved it into the main SOC forum for you

[MandM]

sounds like the Bendix on the starter is dirty, don't oil it it will need a clean and graphite, from a pencil will do,

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[Terry-Stag]

Many thanks for your help. I am now thinking of fitting a new starter motor to ensure it doesn’t keep happening.

[ethel]

Could the squeal be a drive belt at the front of the engine slipping as it gets up to speed?
John.

[Lingen]

Terry.
I think John's suggestion is more likely as the Stag starter motor doesn't have an inertia Bendix system. It is engaged by a solenoid which is unlikely to make the noise you describe.
Mike.

[MandM]

Terry.
I think John's suggestion is more likely as the Stag starter motor doesn't have an inertia Bendix system. It is engaged by a solenoid which is unlikely to make the noise you describe.
Mike.

If you look at the drawing it does have a bendix type drive , which gets dirty!, you can see it in the photo!, it not like the old starters, as it a pre-engage starter.

[mallardstag]

Could the squeal be a drive belt at the front of the engine slipping as it gets up to speed? John.

Slipping alternator belt caused mine to squeal like that for a few seconds after cold starting.

[Roy_S]

I'd second the drive belt, certainly an easier check than going to the starter motor. Years ago had a Vauxhall that did this all the time, belts go dry over time and slip as they wear. To prove it an old mechanic wiped a small amount of oil on the fan belt, instantly quiet. Said there you go, change the belt for a new one. In fact it was still running ok on the car when sold 2 years later....!
As the Stag has a few belts you could try a water spray before you start it on them to prove the noise is from there.

[wilf]

Another easy way to check - lightly run a candle against the belt (NB be VERY careful if you do this with the engine running! The wax will stop any belt noise for a short while.

[jbuckl]

Another easy way to check - lightly run a candle against the belt (NB be VERY careful if you do this with the engine running! The wax will stop any belt noise for a short while.

Wd40 does a similar job on belts. All gone after a short time, at least within 24 hours.

[Terry-Stag]

Hi all

Thanks for the many responses. Well I have tried the easy ones with water spray to WD40 without success so I think I will try taking the starter motor out and giving it a clean, when done I will update everyone.

If this fails I think I will try the High Torque starter and would like any comments on this please and if possible details of the best place to purchase one please?

Many thanks again

Terry

[KOY 23]

I fitted a Powerlite RAC 400 a few weeks ago, has cured my “click nothing problem” It makes a different sound but not a problem to me as the car starts quickly. Bought from S-V-C and delivered direct from Powerlite.

[Stag About Town]

Could the squeal be a drive belt at the front of the engine slipping as it gets up to speed?
John.

Mine does this sometimes from cold and I think it is the belt slipping a bit as the engine fires. Really should tighten it a bit but not really a problem.

[jbuckl]

Recently helped another soc member get his stag running.
the car had been fitted with a hi torque starter.
the ballast feed had not been reinstated.
the starting was much improved once the hi torque had been rewired to provide the ballast bypass for starting.
for me the attraction to a hi torque starter is it appears to be1 /2 the weight of the original !