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Hi there, I'm new to the forum, and thought I'd run this question by all you experts before going to the dealer....
I just picked up my F250 V10 on February 8th. It's been a great truck so far, except every so often (3 times to be exact), I get this horrible grinding sound when I start the engine. Each time it's happened on a cold start in my driveway. It's like the sound when you hold the key too long. Only lasts for half a second or so. The truck still starts and runs just fine.
Any ideas what this could be? It's getting to the point where I hold my breath every time I turn the key.
Thanks for any input.
Funny you mention this, because I have had something similar happen at start up with my 04' F250 V10 (which I got in Oct 03'). I have 6K miles on it and have had the loud "brrraaappp" grinding sound at start up about 8 times or so. Like you said, the sound lasts about one second and only at start up. I've noticed it on cold mornings (but really... how cold does it get in southern CA, so I'm thinking this can't be it) when I haven't driven the truck in a few days. I've noticed it more when I park on an inclide (with my nose up). If the truck is only parked overnight, then I don't recall hearing it at start up the next morning. But if the truck is parked at an incline for a few days, that's when I've noticed it. Perhaps the engine loses a little bit of it's lubing if parked at an incline and not used for several days. I still haven't quite figured it out. But as you also said, the truck still starts and runs great.
Last edited by V10commandments; Mar 29, 2004 at 12:35 PM.
Do you have the A/C compressor engaged at the time? That is, did you leave the selector in any of the positions that will energize the compressor when you shut it off?
The compressor may be the culprit. That doesn't mean it's going out. It always growls at me at first startup when I leave it in.
I also park at a slight incline, and I was wondering if that has anything to do with it. Same for me, it only has happened after the truck has sat for at least a day. Yesterday when it happened, I didn't have the air conditioner on when I started the truck, but I turned it on after I started driving, and it made a similar, though not quite as distinct, noise. Maybe it is the compressor.
I'm just wondering if it's damaging anything in the engine, since it sounds so bad. I just know if I take it to the shop, it won't happen while it's there.
Thanks for the heads up Big Orn. Although I know the sound has occurred several times when the A/C has been off, but I'll play around with this idea to see if I notice the sound more frequently when the A/C has been left on at shut off and start up. I think the only way to get this to happen with the dealter present is to take the truck to the dealer and park it there for a few days, on an inclide if you can find one. Then have them come over to hear you start it up. However, without a second car, I won't have the freedom to leave it there for a few days.
Could it be a clearance issue with the starter/flywheel or possibly the fan clutch? I would take it in and have an incedent logged just in case you need it for future ongoing issues. Good Luck! and let the forum know what it turns out to be. Its so helpful to be able to open and close problems to make this whole thing work.