1997 Fiesta 1.2LX. For a while now intermittently, when engaging the starter 
motor, the engine doesn't start and a loud crunching noise comes from the 
engine.

To cut a long story short, starter motor was suspected so that was swapped, 
followed by ring gear and clutch.

But the crunching is still there. Does it even when starting the car with 
clutch depressed. Will start and run fine on second or third attemps. Will 
sometimes even start on first attempt.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Paul, Wakefield

"Paul"  wrote in message 
news:432d9e4e$0$22908$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...

> 1997 Fiesta 1.2LX. For a while now intermittently, when engaging the 
> starter motor, the engine doesn't start and a loud crunching noise comes 
> from the engine.
>
> To cut a long story short, starter motor was suspected so that was 
> swapped, followed by ring gear and clutch.
>
> But the crunching is still there. Does it even when starting the car with 
> clutch depressed. Will start and run fine on second or third attemps. Will 
> sometimes even start on first attempt.
>


if the new starter was used with a worn out ring gear you may need a new 
toothed bit on the starter.

"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message 
news:EqiXe.110963$G8.81231@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

>
> "Paul"  wrote in message 
> news:432d9e4e$0$22908$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...
>> 1997 Fiesta 1.2LX. For a while now intermittently, when engaging the 
>> starter motor, the engine doesn't start and a loud crunching noise comes 
>> from the engine.
>>
>> To cut a long story short, starter motor was suspected so that was 
>> swapped, followed by ring gear and clutch.
>>
>> But the crunching is still there. Does it even when starting the car with 
>> clutch depressed. Will start and run fine on second or third attemps. 
>> Will sometimes even start on first attempt.
>>
>
> if the new starter was used with a worn out ring gear you may need a new 
> toothed bit on the starter.


This is my Mum's car but I am presuming the garage used all new parts - all 
the work (starter/ring gear/clutch) was all done at the same time.

Would you still suspect new toothed bit on the starter?

Cheers
Paul

"Paul"  wrote in message 
news:432dc0e3$0$22922$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...

>
> "mrcheerful ."  wrote in message 
> news:EqiXe.110963$G8.81231@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>>
>> "Paul"  wrote in message 
>> news:432d9e4e$0$22908$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...
>>> 1997 Fiesta 1.2LX. For a while now intermittently, when engaging the 
>>> starter motor, the engine doesn't start and a loud crunching noise comes 
>>> from the engine.
>>>
>>> To cut a long story short, starter motor was suspected so that was 
>>> swapped, followed by ring gear and clutch.
>>>
>>> But the crunching is still there. Does it even when starting the car 
>>> with clutch depressed. Will start and run fine on second or third 
>>> attemps. Will sometimes even start on first attempt.
>>>
>>
>> if the new starter was used with a worn out ring gear you may need a new 
>> toothed bit on the starter.
>
> This is my Mum's car but I am presuming the garage used all new parts - 
> all the work (starter/ring gear/clutch) was all done at the same time.
>
> Would you still suspect new toothed bit on the starter?
>
> Cheers
> Paul


your post read that the starter was fitted first, followed by 
ringgear/clutch, so there was a possibility that the starter was damaged by 
the old ring gear.  however, if they are all matched and fitted at the same 
time then they should all be ok.
 since there is still a problem then obviously something is amiss.  first 
thing I would check is that the starter is properly and squarely bolted on, 
likewise the gearbox.  this is assuming that the noise is the starter 
operation and not something else entirely, as an example I was once asked to 
fix a car where the horn self sounded, it was actually the head gasket gone 
!!  the high pressure blew past the rad cap making a horn sound, I have 
never seen it before or since !!

mrcheerful

"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message 
news:7AjXe.111006$G8.1275@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

>
> your post read that the starter was fitted first, followed by 
> ringgear/clutch, so there was a possibility that the starter was damaged 
> by the old ring gear.  however, if they are all matched and fitted at the 
> same time then they should all be ok.
> since there is still a problem then obviously something is amiss.  first 
> thing I would check is that the starter is properly and squarely bolted 
> on, likewise the gearbox.  this is assuming that the noise is the starter 
> operation and not something else entirely, as an example I was once asked 
> to fix a car where the horn self sounded, it was actually the head gasket 
> gone !!  the high pressure blew past the rad cap making a horn sound, I 
> have never seen it before or since !!
>
> mrcheerful


Yeah sorry about that - should have re-read before my initial posting.

The noise only occurs when starting the car, ie key in position 3 in 
ignition, and is intermittent.
And my Mum having spent 350 on this problem for it still be be there is not 
best pleased!

Cheers
Paul

Paul wrote:

> 1997 Fiesta 1.2LX. For a while now intermittently, when engaging the
> starter motor, the engine doesn't start and a loud crunching noise
> comes from the engine.
>
> To cut a long story short, starter motor was suspected so that was
> swapped, followed by ring gear and clutch.
>
> But the crunching is still there. Does it even when starting the car
> with clutch depressed. Will start and run fine on second or third
> attemps. Will sometimes even start on first attempt.
>


How long ago was the work done? Did the noise start again immediately after 
the work was done? Have you taken it back to the garage? If "not long ago", 
"yes", and "no", take it back! :)

Si