Hello to all and I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

I haven't been on the forums for awhile because, well frankly, I've been motoring problem free...until now.

1997 XK8 convertible with 130K. Secondary tensioners, water pump, and thermostat have already been changed to the upgraded models 50K miles ago.

I started her up the other day and heard a loud metallic grinding, scrapping noise for about 1-2 seconds as the engine was cranking and then it ran like a top. Not a sound. Happened only during cranking. Unfortunately, I couldn't just park it at that time and had to start and stop 3 more times before parking it. It happened each time. While in the driveway, it would not start. Just a weak crank as if the battery was dead and I noticed that every time I went to pull on the door handle to open the driver's side door, the window went down just a bit and did it with every pull of the door handle. Attached a code reader (P0340 Camshaft position sensor A, Bank 1 Circuit malfunction) and a battery charger.
Next day, against my better judgement, I tried to start it again and after 3-4 cranks it started right up (with the grinding metallic sound) and purred like the kitten she is. With the code reader attached, all readings were normal. No more P0340.
My prime concern is the grinding noise. It sounds external to the engine block so I doubt it's the chain tensioners ( complete engine rebuild in 2008 and after pulling off the valve covers a year ago, the secondary tensioners were brushed aluminum). I've scoured this forum and have concluded that it is probably the belt tensioner or idler pulley bearings. Tomorrow I'm going to remove the serpentine belt and check those pulleys by hand and then crank the engine momentarily to see if the noise happens (eliminates all the belt driven add ons to the block).

Thoughts?

Nick

 

If it only does it during cranking it could be the starter itself. The bendix gear on it could be not mating all the way with the flywheel teeth. That could eventually damage the teeth.



Dave

 

Thanks Dave. Yes, it only does it during cranking. Once the car starts, it doesn't make a sound. I'll be under the car tomorrow and definitely check the connection between the two.

 

Likely the Bendix gear is messed up on the starter. Don't keep starting it like that as it can damage the flywheel gear.


Dave

 

Possibly a bad starter solenoid which as Dave said, will chew up the teeth on the Bendix gear quickly. Another vote for don't try starting it again.

 

Thanks guys.

Having it towed to the indie today. $85 to remove/install a new one. After crawling under the car and deciding if I wanted to tackle it myself, $85 is a bargain

Stay tuned