My BII starts just fine but when I turn the ignition there is a loud engine start sound that just doesn't sound right...it's sort of raspy. After that intial sound the engine purrs.

An additional note, when I accelerate strongly I hear a short raspy niose too, just for a second then it goes away and all is normal again.

 

Hmmmmm.....Flex plate?

 

you know how the sound is when you turn the key on a car that's already running? the starter bark? mine does that every time i turn the key. any clues on what is causing it?

 

The starter is probably shot, maybe the bendix gear is staying partialy engaged. Just a guess cause mine just went through that problem and the eventual fix was a new starter. AutoZone will check the starter for free.

Good luck!

 

yeah, starters are pretty cheap. prolly throw a new one in. now if i can only figure out how when i took my 2.8 BII to get a new clutch, rear main seal, release bearing put in, i got it back with a fluid leak (looks like/smells like fuel) and it now sounds like a v8 missing a couple of cylinders. it almost sounds like somebody bonked the exhaust manifold out of whack and it has a raspy sound when you step on it. I have more power now, but doesnt sound the same as 2 days ago.

that, and with a new clutch, am i only supposed to lift my foot off the clutch about an inch before it engages? i thought i would end up with more pedal with a new clutch?

 

I was at the parts store to p/u a new starter anticipating that I was going to have to replace it. Sure enough, when I turned the key, the starter just whined, nothing happened. Looking underneath I could see that the starter was a little loose. The shop loaned me a wrench, I tightened it and that didn't help. The guys there helped me to jump start it but after pushing for about 10 feet, I couldn't jump it. However - I turned the key and it started! I have a sinking feeling that the fly wheel is chewed up and the starter is actually fine. Any thought?

 

Could be your fly wheel is chewed up in spots but could also be the bedix gear sticking. Start with having the starter tested. Most part stores will do this for no cost.

lewie

 

Here's what happened: The original starter had been just a little loose (top nut only). There was no difference after I tightened it at the store. I pulled out the old one and its gears were a bit chewed (bits of metal). I looked a the fly wheel and a few of the teeth might be worn down on the corners but for all intents and purposes, it looked okay. I put the new starter in and voila! It starts like purring kitten. Everything seems to working just fine now. I have a feeling I got really lucky. One quote I got here in Los Angeles to have the fly wheel replaced was $1,000! Thanks for all the responses!

 

I am glad to here it only cost you a starter, thank God the fly wheel is made from a stronger metal than the starter's gear. I hope things run smoothly for you now.