Schuey Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 (edited) Hi Folks, My car makes a funny noise on startup, just like this video I found on YouTube. What do you recommend. Any easy fix or is it a new starter motor job? If the latter, which one do you recommend as I don't want to be paying Porsche dealer prices for this! Thanks. Edited March 13 by Schuey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificjuha Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 This video is a very good advice for the typical reason for the odd start up noice in 986's: 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelmo Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 Are you sure you aren't just holding the key too long, so the starter motor is still engaged when when the engine is running? My son's girlfriend kept doing that for the first few months after she passed 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDonald Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 2 minutes ago, nelmo said: Are you sure you aren't just holding the key too long, so the starter motor is still engaged when when the engine is running? My son's girlfriend kept doing that for the first few months after she passed 😀 I'm sorry to hear it was fatal. I'll try to avoid holding the key too long then. 1 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew6 Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 I had the same noise, Porsche specialist recommended a new starter motor and it resolved the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 1 hour ago, Andrew6 said: Porsche specialist recommended a new starter motor and it resolved the issue. They would, because they wouldn’t like to take something apart and clean the old grease off it. But that’s all that’s needed, as above. Your time/money calculation. Excellent video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelmo Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 56 minutes ago, Menoporsche said: Excellent video. That guy is the epitome of hippyness...I'm guessing he's from California and is taking big advantage of the decriminalisation of weed? 🙂 - probably useful when working on cars... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 (edited) Yeah, well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man. Edited March 14 by Menoporsche 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMacdonald Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 Mine makes the same noise occasionally and has done for a number of years. I may get round to cleaning off the grease buildup one day, but not today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daboy3000 Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 My old 986 did this, made exactly the same sound. I didn't have the knowledge I do now so it was replaced by a specialist at vast expense. Sorted though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbop90 Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 4 hours ago, nelmo said: That guy is the epitome of hippyness...I'm guessing he's from California and is taking big advantage of the decriminalisation of weed? 🙂 - probably useful when working on cars... Ahh Burner, his videos were good, very helpful when I replaced the clutch & FW. Went completely AWOL after damaging his 986. He doesn't have any active socials so I hope he's alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxob Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 Removing the starter motor is on my to do list (but not urgent) however this thread and the clips made me wonder how DIY it is for me. That lower bolt removal and replacement in particular, looks a right PITA and I don't (currently) have an 18" socket extension to tackle it from inside the cab! However it could perhaps be reached from the top with a very flexible extension 'bar'. To my surprise such a things exists; it has a bar like a spring. Does anyone know: 1. Whether the lower bolt can be reached from above or below? 2. Whether a flexible socket extension would work e.g. It's flexible enough and strong enough to handle the torque necessary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TROOPER88 Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 12 hours ago, Boxob said: Removing the starter motor is on my to do list (but not urgent) however this thread and the clips made me wonder how DIY it is for me. That lower bolt removal and replacement in particular, looks a right PITA and I don't (currently) have an 18" socket extension to tackle it from inside the cab! However it could perhaps be reached from the top with a very flexible extension 'bar'. To my surprise such a things exists; it has a bar like a spring. Does anyone know: 1. Whether the lower bolt can be reached from above or below? 2. Whether a flexible socket extension would work e.g. It's flexible enough and strong enough to handle the torque necessary? A good starter motor isn't expensive so I would recommend replacement as opposed cleaning as the car will start better with a new one. To answer your question: 1) Through the access panel 2) No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificjuha Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 One to remember - make sure to disconnect the car battery before doing anything around the starter. Sparks and some damage is almost for certain if battery is connected when working on the started at Boxster engine bay... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 Two of my boxsters had exactly this issue. One on warm restarts and other totally randomly every 20 to 30 starts. I asked about getting it cleaned but was told the starter is relatively cheap and since its a remove job to clean better to put a new one in as there is no guarantee how long the cleaned one would last. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDonald Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 21 minutes ago, Darkstar said: Two of my boxsters had exactly this issue. One on warm restarts and other totally randomly every 20 to 30 starts. I asked about getting it cleaned but was told the starter is relatively cheap and since its a remove job to clean better to put a new one in as there is no guarantee how long the cleaned one would last. While I admire the principle of fix, a new replacement seems more cost effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norbert Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 21 hours ago, Boxob said: Removing the starter motor is on my to do list (but not urgent) however this thread and the clips made me wonder how DIY it is for me. That lower bolt removal and replacement in particular, looks a right PITA and I don't (currently) have an 18" socket extension to tackle it from inside the cab! However it could perhaps be reached from the top with a very flexible extension 'bar'. To my surprise such a things exists; it has a bar like a spring. Does anyone know: 1. Whether the lower bolt can be reached from above or below? 2. Whether a flexible socket extension would work e.g. It's flexible enough and strong enough to handle the torque necessary? I DIY-d it and it wasn't complicated. I managed to remove the bolts from above after removing the air intake pipes, etc. My car doesn't have AC though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schuey Posted March 15 Author Report Share Posted March 15 Thanks for the replies all. I also think that tricky bolt removal would be too much of a challenge for me to try and DIY it. So I think I'll get a replacement starter motor and get it fitted by a professional. Anyone you recommend in the West Midlands area? I know there is Zuffenhaus but any other options? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxob Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 2 hours ago, Norbert said: I DIY-d it and it wasn't complicated. I managed to remove the bolts from above after removing the air intake pipes, etc. My car doesn't have AC though... Interesting. How did you reach the lower bolt, did you remove the plenum too? What tool did you use to reach and undo the lower bolt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norbert Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 59 minutes ago, Boxob said: Interesting. How did you reach the lower bolt, did you remove the plenum too? What tool did you use to reach and undo the lower bolt? I removed the air intake and the throttle body. I remeber the lower bolt was a bit akward to remove but I managed it with only a small wrench. Note that my hands are small and I don't mind doing yoga during fixing my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amaboknaai Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 Thanks for this. Mine makes exactly the same noise, but not sure I can be arsed to re-grease, or even change it. 1/4 second squeal on start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norbert Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 45 minutes ago, Amaboknaai said: Thanks for this. Mine makes exactly the same noise, but not sure I can be arsed to re-grease, or even change it. 1/4 second squeal on start. I didn't even think about re-greasing it, a new starter is not that expensive. If you don't change it It will get progressively worse, mine was making a really awful noise at every startup. I couldn't bear with that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedBarediver Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 Probably worth mentioning that since I changed the battery (starter was on the list to eventually be changed as well) the screeching noise from my starter has gone away. Not had it come back yet. If it does come back I'll get in there and change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danncus Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 Should that part be greased? On the old Bendix type starters found on cars in the 60’s / 70’s any wet lubricants would soon clog up again. Graphite was recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedBarediver Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 On 4/15/2024 at 11:01 AM, Danncus said: Should that part be greased? On the old Bendix type starters found on cars in the 60’s / 70’s any wet lubricants would soon clog up again. Graphite was recommended. Doubt it. I had an old VW beetle (1975) model where the Bendix gear threw a few teeth. Being a student at the time and perpetually broke, I bought a new Bendix gear for a few rands (South African), took out the starter motor and stripped it. Cleaned everything up, refreshed the carbon brushes and replaced the Bendix gear. Can't remember too well now but there may have been some light grease involved somewhere. Probably on the axle before I put the Bendix gear on. Bendix gear itself - nothing. Worked fine for years afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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