2002 Volkswagen Polo startup

AMJASS12

MEMBER
2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
36,000 MILES

Hello, I recently purchased this car second hand. I have noticed that when my car has been of overnight (or when it is completely cold), when starting the engine I get a normal startup sound followed by half a second to a second of a noise that sounds as if I have kept the key overturned after starting it (sort of a weird churn or screech). After driving, this noise does not occur on startup at all until the car is completely cold again. After start, the car sounds perfectly normal (both in idol and when driving).

the garage I bought this car from did an MOT on the car when I purchased it. Service history shows no engine deficiency, or gear problems. This is an automatic by the way. The history has normal change of fluids, spark plugs etc, as well as the cam belt.

Thank you!

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

What you've described could be attributed to the drive gear on the starter. It slides out to mesh with teeth on the flywheel or flex plate, then slides back under spring pressure when the starter disengages. Sometimes rust builds up on the shaft the gear slides on, especially if the car has been sitting for a while, like on a used car lot. Sometimes mechanics put grease on that shaft, and that grease can become gummy from dirt and cold temperatures. That can make the drive gear slow to release. If it stays engaged for a couple of seconds, that won't hurt it or the starter because there is a one-way roller clutch built into it that allows the gear to spin as fast as the engine is going without forcing the starter to spin. Chances are the problem will resolve itself with repeated use.