YACT: Two Problems - Lag in starting car and metallic noise from the bottom of car

[Rkonster]

First Problem:
At times, there is a slight lag in starting the car. It will do nothing, and a second or so later, turn over. This started to happen recently, but is still very rare. Turning the car off, and trying to start it again will be normal after that. The battery was changed 6 months ago, so I am curious as to what can cause this.

Second Problem:
My car has 110K miles on it. There has been a metallic noise coming from the bottom of the car ever since around 30K miles, maybe earlier. It sounds like metal is expanding and contracting, and only can be heard at slow speeds with the windows open. I took it to the dealer numerous times, and they found nothing. Recently, another dealer said it was a bad transfer case causing this, and that it would cost $3000 to fix. I am curious as to whether a transfer case can cause something like this. Also, if I have had no problems except sound for 80k miles, should I just forget about it?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Whoops, forgot the make and model.
MB 1999 ML430

 

[Rkonster]

No one?

 

[TechnoKid]

Make/Model etc first please

 

[Rkonster]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Make/Model etc first please

MB 1999 ML430

 

[xXped0thugXx]

the lag could be your starter or spark plugs/wires, rotor. dist. cap. Whens the last time you've done or had maitenance done to your car?


metallic noise is a little vague but it could be a heat shield rattling around, a loose catylitic converter, or a number of different things , need a little better description because there is alot under there!

 

[Sluggo]

Sounds like the starter may be starting to show its age. The starter is the actual mechanical motor that gets the engine spinning from the battery.

Have you tried getting the fluid in the transfer case changed? Did you do regular maintenance on the front and rear end differentials?

If you did get the fluids changed try to find out if there are special additives that go in with these fluids for the transfer case and differentials.

 

[Rkonster]

I have been taking in for maintenance whenever the computer tells me so.

As for the transfer case fluid, I have never done anything with this.

As for the metallic noise, it does not sound like something rattling. More of a creaking noise. This dealer was the first to be able to "find" the problem, and I had to take the tech in the car and show him the noise for them to even notice it.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

 

[myusername]

If your transfer case was clanking 80k miles ago, it would have blown up long ago. You could drain the fluid and check for metal particles, or just open the whole thing up and see how things look (Not sure how easy that is with your car).

Does the noise happen with any regularity, only during some type of maneuver, or totally at random?

When you say nothing happens when you try to start, you mean *nothing* as in the engine doesn't crank (nothing making noise) or it turns over but just doesn't catch?

 

[ElFenix]

i had my starter replaced and it'll still take a few cranks to get my motor to catch. problem started about 6 months ago. second time i've taken it in for work on that same problem. 3rd time makes it a lemon!

 

[Tom]

your courtney is wasted.

 

[Rkonster]

Originally posted by: myusername
If your transfer case was clanking 80k miles ago, it would have blown up long ago. You could drain the fluid and check for metal particles, or just open the whole thing up and see how things look (Not sure how easy that is with your car).

Does the noise happen with any regularity, only during some type of maneuver, or totally at random?

When you say nothing happens when you try to start, you mean *nothing* as in the engine doesn't crank (nothing making noise) or it turns over but just doesn't catch?

The noise seems to be always there. I cannot hear it unless I am moving really slowly with the windows open. But whenever I try to hear it, I can.

As for the starting, there will be nothing, for maybe a second or so. I just hold it there, and then it will start.

 

[Sluggo]

As for the metallic noise, it does not sound like something rattling. More of a creaking noise

Can you duplicate the noise just by bouncing the car up and down by pushing on the bumper? Easy way to rule in or rule out suspention noise.

 

[Rkonster]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

As for the metallic noise, it does not sound like something rattling. More of a creaking noise

Can you duplicate the noise just by bouncing the car up and down by pushing on the bumper? Easy way to rule in or rule out suspention noise.

From what I remember, I cannot reproduce the noise this way. I will try again tomorrow and see. Thanks.

 

The creaking may be from one of the following ;

Aged suspension bushing(s)
Worn shocks
Dry ball joints/tie rod ends
Exhaust hanger(s)
Loose gast tank cushion(s)
Loose motor mounts
Loose transfer case mounts
Dry universal joints


As for the starting problem, is sounds like either the brushes in the starter are worn down, the armature is grounding or the Bendix drive is starting to fail.

 

[Rkonster]

Originally posted by: Roger
The creaking may be from one of the following ;

Aged suspension bushing(s)
Worn shocks
Dry ball joints/tie rod ends
Exhaust hanger(s)
Loose gast tank cushion(s)
Loose motor mounts
Loose transfer case mounts
Dry universal joints


As for the starting problem, is sounds like either the brushes in the starter are worn down, the armature is grounding or the Bendix drive is starting to fail.

Hmmm, well I have tried what Sluggo recommended, and I could not reproduce the noise the push on the car or bouncing. If this has been going on for years, would something being lose have falling off by now?

Also, with the starter, it happens pretty rarely. How much long do I have before I should start worrying?

Thanks!

 

Hmmm, well I have tried what Sluggo recommended, and I could not reproduce the noise the push on the car or bouncing. If this has been going on for years, would something being lose have falling off by now?

No offense to Sluggo, but that procedure will only show about 50% of the potential noise problems relating to the suspension.

Also, with the starter, it happens pretty rarely. How much long do I have before I should start worrying?

Unknown, it could fail tomorrow or never, there is no way of telling short of removing the starter and disassembling it for inspection.

As far as the noise goes, the proper way of finding NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is to clamp a multitude of microphones to the undercarriage, this will pinpoint the noise in no time.

I have this particular tool and it works wonders when searching for odd noises and growls.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Roger

Hmmm, well I have tried what Sluggo recommended, and I could not reproduce the noise the push on the car or bouncing. If this has been going on for years, would something being lose have falling off by now?

No offense to Sluggo, but that procedure will only show about 50% of the potential noise problems relating to the suspension.

Also, with the starter, it happens pretty rarely. How much long do I have before I should start worrying?

Unknown, it could fail tomorrow or never, there is no way of telling short of removing the starter and disassembling it for inspection.

As far as the noise goes, the proper way of finding NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is to clamp a multitude of microphones to the undercarriage, this will pinpoint the noise in no time.

I have this particular tool and it works wonders when searching for odd noises and growls.

You have to do a lot more than that to offend me, please keep trying

 

You're an ugly stupid bastard and your mother smells of eldeberries !!!!!!

 

[TwoBills]

I'm thinking maybe a tranny bearing for the low speed noise. The no start situation, I'd check the grounds 1st, then move toward the starter.