Knocking from starter-motor

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 10 Aug 2010, 11:47

Ahh, the Xant is being a Citroén again! When I start it up the starter-motor is making a knocking or clunking noise like it's not mounted properly or something. Sometimes the knocking is louder, sometimes it is barely hearable. But the louder it is, the harder it is to start! So probably corroded or loose mounts ? If so how would I check it ? Cos I don't want to be stranded as I have a 300 mile journey home on Wednesday!!

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 10 Aug 2010, 12:45

not sure of the problem there Xantia, but do park on hills where you can maybe..

John

addo · Post by **addo** » 10 Aug 2010, 12:47

The mounts won't be corroded. Grab it and wiggle with the engine off. Should be rock solid.

Check your top motor mount (driver's side, near the strut top). They collapse with age/abuse and a new rubber part is only from Citroen for some models - probably about £45. The accompanying snubbers are available from factors, made by people like QH.

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 10 Aug 2010, 12:53

Well the starter is rock solid but the engine is moving quite a bit with I push down on it. How much would labour be to get the mount on the engine replaced ?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Aug 2010, 14:14

If the bolts were loose the starter would move and rattle, could be you have a tooth missing from the starter or ring gear. Could be that you have a loose connection on it that is causing it to engage and disengage.

Peter

jimleshed · Post by **jimleshed** » 10 Aug 2010, 14:56

Yes, I'd go for the missing tooth/teeth as well.
Might be worth a check...is there anywhere you can see the starter ring (ie a cover you can take off), so you can rotate the engine and check the teeth are all ok?

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 10 Aug 2010, 15:13

hmm. re reading this a bit more, sounds like the starter is sticking and causing the engine to shake, and the knock is from that.... which I think Addo is alluding to.

am i reading it wrong?

jimleshed · Post by **jimleshed** » 10 Aug 2010, 15:23

Perhaps you're right, its possibly the engine moving thats causing the knocking sound. But why is it moving more when harder to start? The loose connection mentioned by Peter.N is quite plausible (either on the starter itself or main engine ground).

I think we need a bit more information from Xantia2.0...

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 10 Aug 2010, 16:44

Well all I know is the engine is moving about 1-2" when I push down on it. The engine does shudder a bit when the starter motor is operated. The starter-motor & grounds were replaced in early 2010, so they should be fine. I'm pretty sure the engine mount is the problem, and speaking on the phone, the AA man thinks so too. Now what I want to know is will the engine moving 1-2" be an MOT failure ? And if so how the hell did it pass the last one 3 weeks ago!?