Every now and then, when I go to start my truck, there is an awful grinding noise that comes. It does not turn over either. It sounds like sh!t! Is it the fly-wheel loosing teeth? or starter? It is covered under our 100K engine warranty?

Thanks

Ben

My first instinct would be the flywheel. My dad has a '88 6.2, his was doing the same thing, had to put in a new flywheel (actually flexplate since it's an auto). That truck has 240,000miles. I guess I wouldn't expect it to happen under 100,000.

My truck was doing the same thing. It got the starter and flywheel replaced at 7500 mi. It was covered under warrenty. My truck is a 04 GMC Duramax/allison.

My truck did it once, Dealerer could not duplicate and didn't do anything about it. Not to long ago someone posted alot of info on it. Might try a search.

Mine started grinding a few times at start up last winter, turned out to be the starter. The service manager had the tech check the teeth on the flywheel, saying he didn't want to have to change out another starter if the flywheel was shot. Flywheel was OK. It was covered by the 100K engine warranty.

Mine did the same thing right before it wouldn't engage anymore and then broke the mounting tabs and almost my hand as I was tapping on it. Took the busted one to the dealer (already paid to have my truck towed to my house) and they warrantied it, no problems since (where's that wood ):h ).

Josh

What was talked about before skoryaro2?

So it is covered under my 100K warranty? If so I am talking to them next week. Thanks

Ben

I think it is covered . but subject to the $100 deductable.

Mine Also, started aout 3 months ago (02) sounds like the bindix on the starter not engading, only happens about every 15 starts ????

I never really have counted how many times I crank it over before I hear that AWFUL sound but it may be @ 20. Thanks alot

Ben

What was talked about before skoryaro2?


Ben

Ben,

Here's the link to the thread I was referring to
STARTER (http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20511&highlight=starter)

Dealer said that the starter is not warrantied under the 100K. The new starter runs $500+. I am not too interested in spending that much if I dont have to.

Ben

It's a flywheel problem. GM had some problems with some of the machining on them and they didn't machine perfectly flat. Very hard to see but just a few thousands off causes the problem. Doesn't let the starter teeth engage if they don't pop in just right. The SECOND time I took mine in for the problem clyde (socaldieseltech) got on the phone and researched it. Was a rare occurence at the time but it seems like this may be a bigger problem. I would push them saying it's a known flywheel problem. Replacing the starter the first time was just a temporary bandaid in my case. The grinding on the flywheel couldn't be seen until it was actually pulled. Thanks to Clyde's research and not taking the easy way out, The problem hasn't repeated itself in months. It used to happen at least once every 2 weeks minimum. You should be able to have the starter covered if the flywheel is bad.

Thanks. I will talk with them again.

Ben

Mine did the same thing. I noticed that it only happened when I turned the key on fast. It started doing it at 30,000 miles and only didt it a few more times until I figured out I was turning the key too fast. Turn it slower and it wont happen again.

I had mine in the shop yesterday for the exact same problem. They pulled the starter and examined the flexplate. They called and said I was getting a new starter and flexplate - bad news is a one week lead time to get parts from Duramax. Mine has 44,000 miles now but the problem started at about 20,000. And yes it is covered under the 100,000 mile motor warrenty with $100.00 deduct.

Hey Dex, did you have it in the shop for the problem before the no-deduct warranty was up? If you did, tell them your not paying for a problem they should have fixed right the first time.

TT , unfortunatly I never took the time to take it in before I was past the 36,000 mark

Dealer said it is the the starter not engaging and it is spinning. They did not examine anything. This is just the service people talking to me. Again they said it is not a warranty item. So I must spend $$$$$ for a starter first. What a crock!

Ben

I'm assuming you're dealing with Notbohm's in Miles? I wasn't impressed with them at all. I was hoping you'd've had good luck with them, then I know it was just me or it was just a fluke. The second time I took mine there was to fix a problem that wasn't repaired right the first time by them. I had a little discussion with the service manager, the owner's son. I explained that there were other folks around here that were curious about how they would handle this repair and make a decission on whether to take their Duramaxes to them for repairs. He got it fixed. Even though it was a rear axel seal, it two tries to get it right. You might mention that your experience with them will more than likely be related as a topic on the internet. Could influence future buyers as well as service customers. Just my $.02, Ben. Brock.

blnagel,
Make sure you are very clear with them that you want the old starter back if they don't need it for a core. Or tell them you want to see it tested before it gets turned in and take a camera with you. Pictures will make them nervous!

I dont feel like forking over $$$$, like $800 for a friggin starter. I am a little leary of doing that. I have 90K miles now on the truck.

Brock --> I have been happy with Notbohm here. They have been good to me. I know all of them anyways. Iknow they charge ALOT but I also think stealers in general charge WAY too much.

Ben

So what can you do, Ben? Try another dealer? Take it back to Nebraska? Take the $800 and the pickup in for a trade-in? I see Notbohm's has several new ones there. Hope it works out for you. Good luck. Brock.

A new vehicle is not an option. I might just live with the blasted thing. I did read that someone slowed down their turnover time. I might try that.

Ben

What about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7964043362&category=33576&sspagename=WDVW

Ben

Blnagel, What did you end up doing with your starter problem? As posted earlier I was scheduled for a flexplate and starter replacement and just got my truck back. FYI the invoice states "flexplate teeth improperly designed J1400 6.1 replaced flexplate and starter due to flexplate improperly designed" . I had to pay the $100 deduct which I was prepaired to due but after seeing the wording "improperly designed" on my invoice, I am calling the General to see if I can't get the $100 back because of their design flaw. If you need a copy of my invoice to show your dealer PM me and I will scan it for you.

It appears GM knows there is a problem, and if the service writer is willing to do the leg work you can get it fixed properly. If yours has the same problem as mine a new starter is only a temp. bandaid to the problem.

Blnagel, What did you end up doing with your starter problem? As posted earlier I was scheduled for a flexplate and starter replacement and just got my truck back. FYI the invoice states "flexplate teeth improperly designed J1400 6.1 replaced flexplate and starter due to flexplate improperly designed" . I had to pay the $100 deduct which I was prepaired to due but after seeing the wording "improperly designed" on my invoice, I am calling the General to see if I can't get the $100 back because of their design flaw. If you need a copy of my invoice to show your dealer PM me and I will scan it for you.

It appears GM knows there is a problem, and if the service writer is willing to do the leg work you can get it fixed properly. If yours has the same problem as mine a new starter is only a temp. bandaid to the problem.

I would like a copy please. Fax at work is 406 233-2784. C/O Ben Nagel

Thanks
Ben

:cool: Best of luck there, Ben. I'm waitting to see how you're treated there. You've seen my reservations regarding that dealership. Prove me wrong. I'd be happy if you did. Not that I expect anything better in Billings. My personal feelings (opinion) about Frontier is that they're crooked as the day is long. I guess I'm more than a bit cynical. ;) Again, Ben... Good Luck. Brock.

Brock,
I am always treated well there. I just ran in there the other day and they put the tech 2 on and vacuum monitor on it all for free. I run in there often and sometimes just BS with the guys. I am friends with most in there.

Ben

Ben, Fax sent this morning. Good luck!

Got it! Thanks. What were the symptoms going on with you? How often did the grinding occur? Did the dealer give you a load of BS first or did they take care of you quickly?

Ben

blnagel, here it is two weeks since you started this topic and you haven't taken it in to get it fixed. What are you waiting for, a tow truck? Later! Frank

Other issues going on in my life right now.

Ben

was this ever taken care of, and if so how?

I'd sorta like to know also. I had to go pick up my cap and gown for graduation two weeks ago. I needed fuel so I stopped at a Mobil Station. There was a Powerstroke on the other side of the pump (the guy didn't even look at me...hahaha, and I was going to tell him nice truck, I liked the color). His truck turned over slow but fired right up and away he went, (mebbe he was embarrassed?). Well anyway, I went to fire mine up and I hear a RGGGDZZZZXXED, you know, whatever sounds a starter make when it grinds. Boy, I was happy he left before me. :eek: :cool: :ro) Man that would've been embarrassing.

Have a good one!!

Dan

It has not happened for quite some time now. I think it might just be related to cold weather. I am not too worried about it now. Thanks.

Ben