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okay, this time I actually need mechanic advice.

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I think it defaults as muted but I included sound. Pardon the party music, the construction guys near the parking lot were having a blast today lol. Anyway. It's been cold as fuck the past couple days and this noise only happens on start after sitting several hours cold. I'm guessing either starter or belts but haven't gone investigating yet.

16 comments

seathru

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It sounds like the starter bendix is being slow to disengage. Especially if it's just making the sound immediately after starting.

vivavideri

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That makes sense. I didn't really drive it last winter so I'm not sure if it's just a general quirk of this gen of subarus or not. I did just do head gaskets over the summer so I've peeked at both the flywheel and the starter recently and nothing was damaged/dirty.

I'm also suspicious that my alternator is on its last legs since the lights dim when the ac is on, and the lights brighen after the turn signal disengages lol.

BallsInTheShredder

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I agree with the above guy, kinda sounds like your starter is slow to disengage.

However I am listening on mobile/speaker and can't be sure, it almost sounds like a belt squeal on my phone and if if it weren't for the sequence of start - squeal I wouldn't guess starter lol.

Will listen later with headphones, but is it more of a squeal or grind?

Btw I've been busy and haven't checked the sub, saw where you shouted me out and it was heartwarming, thanks mi amigo

Also, ikidd's theory is plausible too, if you have a multimeter pop that bad boy on your battery and ensure it's above 12 while the engine is off. Then, since you mentioned you were worried about your alternator, start the engine back up and check the battery with the multimeter while running. You should see at least about 13 volts. You can also test the alternator directly, look it up and see how many amps it's supposed to be putting out then cross reference with what you have

vivavideri

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The more I hear it the more I'm convinced it's insufficient fresh lubricant on the mechanical bits of the starter. The belt shenanigan sounds are freshly familiar because it was my first time putting new ones on over the summer, after dropping the engine back in- I was too gentle and didn't tension them up enough. I cleaned a lot of gunk out of the starter while the engine was out but I don't think I regreased.

BallsInTheShredder

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Definitely lubricate just to be safe but also check the battery as kidd is right this is the season.

Do you have a multimeter? If not, harbor freight had them for iirc $8.99 last year, usually don't recommend them but it's been a good little backup

vivavideri

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I love my multimeter lol

BallsInTheShredder

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Late response ik but I love mine too they're so handy

ikidd

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I'd charge the battery right up. That sounds like it's just on the bare edge of turning the engine over and is getting hung up on the ring gear. Being cold would reduce the available cranking amps and it will have spent the night discharging from the previous days drive. Or put it on a jump starter right away for the cold start and see if that stops it. In which case, replace the battery.

BallsInTheShredder

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Was thinking starter but (admittedly have poor quality on mobile) this makes sense too.

ikidd

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This time of year its pretty safe blaming batteries. The temp goes down and all the marginal cells show up.

BallsInTheShredder

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You are correct, battery problems are rampant this time of year, just not hearing it in this video but, being from canola land I'm guessing you've probably dealt with plenty of cold weather related battery issues

vivavideri

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I'll check my battery. I had to get a trickle charger for it because it sat for three months while I had the engine out, but it was new enough to be revived. A buddy of mine found something on the Subaru legacy forum about the grease in the starter. It's an '01 and I think it's OEM, so it wouldn't surprise me if the <30°F temps are pushing it. That reminds me, I gotta regrease my jack. It got to like 0 last winter and that thing is chunky lol.

luthis

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Which sound am I listening for?

Nurse_Robot

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I think the screech when the engine turned over

vivavideri

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After the start there's a lil extra sound on the tail end, like a slip.

Ghyste

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Starter sounds like it's catching after you release the key.