Bad starter?

[Cadeez]

Ever since I picked up my new ZHP a month ago, I noticed it always turned over a couple times before starting (whereas my 2001 330i fired right up immediately). I didn't think much of it, just thought it was a different car and maybe that was normal. Now it seems like it takes even more time to turn over, and there is also a very distinct "screeching" sound coming from somewhere which happens right as the car starts. It literally sounds like a chipmunk laughing, or a very squeaky wheel. Battery is brand new. Does this sound like a starter issue? Can't think of what else it could be

[KTS317]

Bad fuel pump or bad fuel filter? Maybe a vacuum leak? Coils and plugs ever changed?


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[BMWCurves]

Wouldn't all of those options usually cause issues during normal driving sough as rough idle or stumbling, not just start up difficulty? I honestly don't know, I'm asking.

[Cadeez]

Bad fuel pump or bad fuel filter? Maybe a vacuum leak? Coils and plugs ever changed?

Fuel filter replaced last weekend, assuming pump is original, plugs and intake boot replaced last month. I don't see how a vacuum leak would make the noise I'm hearing, or the slight hesitation turning over? Car runs fantastic, I actually gave her a nice little rip today at lunch, all systems were go for sure. No issue getting fuel, or anything else out of the ordinary.

Wouldn't all of those options usually cause issues during normal driving such as rough idle or stumbling, not just start up difficulty? I honestly don't know, I'm asking.

^^Agreed. It's got to be the starter

[ELCID86]

I used YourMechanic.com to replace mine. Saved a bundle and they used Bosch. He was in my garage for 6+ hours!

[Cadeez]

Holy crap! Why the heck is your engine torn apart like that?? The DIY's I've seen show to go from underneath, no exhaust removal, ~3 hours work. You just have to support the tranny on a jack and undo the mounts, then it should be right there. Pelican Parts offers great DIY's for almost everything

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...ur_Starter.htm

[Dave1027]

That diy says to lower the trans but then they say if the dowel pin is stuck drive it out with a punch, which you can only do from the top with the intake manifold off.

[danewilson77]

Holy crap! Why the heck is your engine torn apart like that?? The DIY's I've seen show to go from underneath, no exhaust removal, ~3 hours work. You just have to support the tranny on a jack and undo the mounts, then it should be right there. Pelican Parts offers great DIY's for almost everything

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...ur_Starter.htm

+1

6 hours because he had no idea what he was doing.

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[ELCID86]

Holy crap! Why the heck is your engine torn apart like that?? The DIY's I've seen show to go from underneath, no exhaust removal, ~3 hours work. You just have to support the tranny on a jack and undo the mounts, then it should be right there. Pelican Parts offers great DIY's for almost everything

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...ur_Starter.htm

He went in from top and bottom. He removed the manifold (and replaced gasket) so I didn't complain. I did tell him about the DIYs, but hey it got me a new gasket and a chance to inspect my CCV!

[Cadeez]

That diy says to lower the trans but then they say if the dowel pin is stuck drive it out with a punch, which you can only do from the top with the intake manifold off.

"If you run into this issue, you can drive the dowel pin out using a 10mm punch and small hammer. A new starter should come with a dowel pin installed, if not, transfer the old one over to the new starter. You cannot access the alignment pin from above without the intake manifold removed. To remove from below, put your punch into a deep socket installed on a 24Â" extension - align it with the pin and drive out from below, through the same access area used to remove starter bolts."