Grinding noise on cold start

[steveh]

When my car sits overnight in temperature around freezing or below I get a metal on metal type screach/grinding noise upon starting the engine. It starts about 0.5 seconds after starting the car and only lasts for about 1 second. I think it is coming from the air conditioning compressor's clutch but am not sure. Has anyone ever run into this? Do you know if this is a precursor to a large repair or just something minor? I squirted some WD40 in last night and am not sure if that eliminated the problem or not (too warm outside).

For more information- after the engine runs for a couple of minutes I can turn it off and when I start it the sound does not happen again. If I stop the engine immediately then restart it I get the noise.

Anyone else have this happen?

THANKS!

steveh

 

[TPLYNCH]

Could be your Starter sticking. There was thread yesterday about no start because the starter "froze" in cold weather. Is the sound similar to what you hear if you try to start the truck while it's running.

 

[steveh]

Thanks for the response!

I suppose "grind" was not the correct word, it is more of a screach, definately not related to the starter or similar in noise to the starter. I checked last night and it does not seem to occur if the A/C is on when I start the car (I'll have to double check for sure). I am pretty sure it is related to the clutch or bearings on the pulley of the compressor that gets spun by the serpentine belt. Has anyone else experienced this? I am hoping it is nothing major just looking for some confirmation.

Thanks,
steveh

 

[CDomb]

I have the same noise in my 2002 Explorer.. When the car is cold and about 5 minutes into the ride when i excellerate i get a grinding noise or something that sounds like a drill. It happens for only a few seconds and then when i take my foot off the gas, it goes away.. Dont hear it again until the car is cold again.. I dont know what it is either...Anyone else???

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by CDomb
I have the same noise in my 2002 Explorer.. When the car is cold and about 5 minutes into the ride when i excellerate i get a grinding noise or something that sounds like a drill. It happens for only a few seconds and then when i take my foot off the gas, it goes away.. Dont hear it again until the car is cold again.. I dont know what it is either...Anyone else???

you have a 2002 let the dealer figure it out.. dont worry about it.. bring it in

 

[CDomb]

Mike,
The problem with bringing it in to the dealer (which i will do ofcourse) is that the conditions for one to hear the noise are very specific.. It has to be after the car has been standing and is cold.. Only when you accelerate with a steady hold on the gas..The minute you take your foot off at all, it stops. I guess I would have to leave it overnight and hope that the mechanic drives the car on a straight away and not in stop and go! I've been down this road before..They tell you that they didnt hear a thing! Thanks anyway.

 

[01EB5.0]

what weight oil do you use? I would recommend whatever your manual says. Synthetic may be the way to go. Does this sound happen in the summertime also?

 

[CDomb]

Thanks for your reply but i just got the car in August and it made that noise then too with the oil that the dealer had in it. After the oil change the noise was no different..

 

[dloc420]

my 99 sohc does the same thing let me know if you find a solution