New starter rattle.
03-25-2015, 02:08 PM
#1
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New starter rattle.
Hello all!
I'm brand new here, so please forgive me and tell me if I'm breaking etiquette.
I've got a 1991 F150 with the 4.9L straight six that has been my new daily driver for the last four months and despite being fairly rough cosmetically she has run beautifully for me.
Just recently the starter died on me and I had to replace it and the solenoid. The new parts fit and work fine, but she now has a nasty rattle coming from the starter's connection hole (I am really bad with terminology) like there are some pebbles getting kicked around in there. I did pull some pieces of the old starter out when I replaced it, including a gear tooth and some sort of cap (almost looks like the end cap of a shotgun shell, not sure where it came from since I can't find a similar bit on the new starter or where it would fit on the old one) and I'm worried that there may be more pieces stuck inside.
The truck starts fine and the starter disconnects fine as well. The noise doesn't change when I shift or rev the engine, at least as far as I can tell. Any help or advice would be highly appreciated since I love my truck and would like to keep her running as long as I can.
I'm brand new here, so please forgive me and tell me if I'm breaking etiquette.
I've got a 1991 F150 with the 4.9L straight six that has been my new daily driver for the last four months and despite being fairly rough cosmetically she has run beautifully for me.
Just recently the starter died on me and I had to replace it and the solenoid. The new parts fit and work fine, but she now has a nasty rattle coming from the starter's connection hole (I am really bad with terminology) like there are some pebbles getting kicked around in there. I did pull some pieces of the old starter out when I replaced it, including a gear tooth and some sort of cap (almost looks like the end cap of a shotgun shell, not sure where it came from since I can't find a similar bit on the new starter or where it would fit on the old one) and I'm worried that there may be more pieces stuck inside.
The truck starts fine and the starter disconnects fine as well. The noise doesn't change when I shift or rev the engine, at least as far as I can tell. Any help or advice would be highly appreciated since I love my truck and would like to keep her running as long as I can.
03-25-2015, 06:44 PM
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Thanks for the suggestion Crownman.
I guess it just goes to show how mechanically inept I am, but are you talking about the metal plate on the very front of the transmission or the little rubber stopper opposite the starter? The later I can access but I can't see much through it as I'm a larger guy and I don't have much space to move under the truck, and the former I don't think I can remove without getting much deeper into "still not drivable" territory.
I'm hesitant to take to much apart because I am currently bumming rides from my girlfriend and I'm not sure how many trips it's going to take before she dumps me for a guy with a working car. That and I only have access to basic tools.
I guess it just goes to show how mechanically inept I am, but are you talking about the metal plate on the very front of the transmission or the little rubber stopper opposite the starter? The later I can access but I can't see much through it as I'm a larger guy and I don't have much space to move under the truck, and the former I don't think I can remove without getting much deeper into "still not drivable" territory.
I'm hesitant to take to much apart because I am currently bumming rides from my girlfriend and I'm not sure how many trips it's going to take before she dumps me for a guy with a working car. That and I only have access to basic tools.
03-25-2015, 10:29 PM
#5
Some of the transmissions have an inspection cover right behind the oil pan. If yours does, it will have 2 small bolts holding it on. You can then see the flex plate with all the teeth around the outside. Little pieces of crap should collect down there and you can fish them out.
You will also see the bolts that hold the torque convertor to the flex plate (you'll actually be looking at the nuts). There are 4 of them, 90 degrees apart. By turning the motor by hand you can inspect each one and make sure that they are tight.
Also inspect the flex plate for any cracks.
That's for an automatic. If you have a manual, you may not have the same inspection cover, but have a look anyway.
If you don't have an inspection cover (you should) then you will have to pull the starter and try to get at things from there.
A telescoping magnet tool would be very useful here I think.
Jacking it up and putting jack stands under it would make the whole job simpler.
You will also see the bolts that hold the torque convertor to the flex plate (you'll actually be looking at the nuts). There are 4 of them, 90 degrees apart. By turning the motor by hand you can inspect each one and make sure that they are tight.
Also inspect the flex plate for any cracks.
That's for an automatic. If you have a manual, you may not have the same inspection cover, but have a look anyway.
If you don't have an inspection cover (you should) then you will have to pull the starter and try to get at things from there.
A telescoping magnet tool would be very useful here I think.
Jacking it up and putting jack stands under it would make the whole job simpler.
03-27-2015, 09:55 AM
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Sorry about the late reply, I have a 5 speed manual trans in the truck (I think it's the mazda M5OD), I had to work yesterday and it was pouring rain so I didn't get to get under the truck again. I'm going to give taking the cover off a shot later today, and if that doesn't work I'll start fishing with a magnet. Thanks again for all the help.
03-29-2015, 04:02 PM
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It's fixed! Turns out the store I bought the starter from gave me the wrong starter. They gave me the starter for an automatic trans which is ~3/8" longer than the manual one, so it wouldn't disconnect properly. I noticed the starter looked slightly off from the original and was showing wear on the ends of it's teeth when I took it off to start fishing the bits out (I didn't find any more pieces when I was in there). What was a bit unnerving was the fact that the part number on the first starter I bought and the one I exchanged it for were exactly the same, despite being listed differently online.
My baby is running smoothly again and I hope the next time I have to get under the hood is for some thing more fun. Thanks once more for the help and ideas, I hope you all have a good week!
My baby is running smoothly again and I hope the next time I have to get under the hood is for some thing more fun. Thanks once more for the help and ideas, I hope you all have a good week!
