Mystery screeching noise on start up..

[nailhead_sled]

Just recently developed the most awkward sounding screech upon cold start up.(’98 4.0 OHV) The noise is not heard during the actual cranking of the motor, but is audible for the first 1-2 seconds when the motor is running. Literally when I release the key from the crank position to run.
The noise does sound like metal on metal, however it does not necessarily sound like it is coming from the block itself.
As mentioned the sound is only heard during cold starts, first thing in the morning and when leaving work. Subsequent warm starts are normal.
I’m leaning toward the culprit being the starter not disengaging quickly enough, however I am familiar with the sound of starter pinion gears mashing against a moving flywheel, and this sound is much less violent and higher pitched.

Anybody have any similar experience or ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[Blee1099]

Could be your serpetine belt or possibly the idler pulley going bad..

 

[gearz]

Worn out belt?

Sounds like serpentine belt to me. Possibly idler pulley but I would think that would screetch every time at start up. If the belt is old it's time to replace it, at that point you could check the idler pulley(spin it by hand, it should be real smooth) and possibly the tensioner which may also be worn out which wouldn't apply enough tension to the belt and could also be the source of the noise. A new belt, tensioner, and idler puller should only cost a little over $100 and they're all easy to replace.

 

[nailhead_sled]

Also easy to check.
I’ll remove the belt, start her up and see if the noise persists.
Cheers,

 

[Billy177]

same thing happned to me a new belt fixed it

 

[Electrohacker]

it's usually the belt... I would just spray it with belt dressing for a temporary fix and pick one up ASAP

 

[nailhead_sled]

It's not the belt...

It is most definitely not the belt as I removed it this morning before start up, and the screech is still there.
It is a fairly high pitched metallic screech.
I think my next step will be to have somebody start the car while I lay in various positions under and or around the vehicle. Still have a feeling it’s the starter getting ready to take a dump.

 

[Billy177]

out of curiosity are you using a fram/penzoil filter (same thing)

 

[BAYDOG]

It's the starter, mine did the smae thing. Mine worked fine , but screeched like you said. New starter did the trick.

 

[jsun]

It is most definitely not the belt as I removed it this morning before start up, and the screech is still there.
It is a fairly high pitched metallic screech.
I think my next step will be to have somebody start the car while I lay in various positions under and or around the vehicle. Still have a feeling it’s the starter getting ready to take a dump.

Mine is also doing this...and I also think it is the starter crapping out on me.

Could this metelic screech at start up be caused by a poor flex plate in an auto tranny in contact with the starter?

Also, mine has progressed to almost every start-up. On'y after very recent driving the noise will not occur.

 

[Glacier991]

once the starter does it's job, the bendix gear is supposed to retract from the flywheel. I am far from certain, but a bad starter gear could be slow to disengage causing such a noise.