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[FT]

Hi all, first question for you...everytime I start the engine I can hear a sound, which I can only describe as grinding, almost as if something is struggling to work, or pump through...not sure...Once the engine is on the sound goes away so we're only talking about a one second thing.  Is it some sort of pump that's failing, going to fail, or what?  I've read up on the other topics and found one that might be similar to mine, the 'SAI' pump???  under the nearside front wing?  Or maybe just starter motor?

Second, any ideas for the following...changing gears is very stiff when starting from cold, but as soon as you drive for a couple of minutes then the gears are fine...once the engine is warm then it changes without a glitch...could this be low gearbox oil, needing replacement?

For info, it's a 2.0 16V N-reg GLS estate manual.  Thanks.

[batista]

have you take the auxcilliary belt off,to rule out the alternator.thats where i would start..

[Andyb]

re gearbox i would guess it need and oil change m8

does the noise last longer when engine cold and when warm its only about 10sec if so i would think its the sai on the way out easy way it to disconnect it and if its still there then reconnect it and try drive belt

[FT]

...think will change gearbox oil at next service...

The noise doesn't even last 10 secs.  But yes, you're right it is longer when starting from cold and then a very short burst when warmed up.  I'd say when cold the sound lasts about no more than a second or two, and when warm it comes on as the engine catches and then immediately turns off.  Thanks for the advice.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Rule out the SAI pump under the front wing by disconnecting it....then follow the aux belt route etc...

[JasonH]

The secondary air injection pump is a beast and draws a lot of current. It can sound really bad too. Quickest check is to pull out the relay or fuse from the under bonnet fuse box.

Stiff gearchange is fairly normal when cold. Oil change might help a bit.

[JasonH]

Fuse is big orange 30A or 50A in the under bonnet fuse box - I think it's the only one.

Relay - can't remember which one but I think the info is in Technical Info.

[mantahatch]

...think will change gearbox oil at next service...

The noise doesn't even last 10 secs.  But yes, you're right it is longer when starting from cold and then a very short burst when warmed up.  I'd say when cold the sound lasts about no more than a second or two, and when warm it comes on as the engine catches and then immediately turns off.  Thanks for the advice.

Could you actually be hearing the starter motor/bearings in the starter motor.

Just a thought

Mike

[FT]

Thanks all for the advice...think I've narrowed it down to the starter motor as per Mantahatch's comment.  I haven't taken any fuses/relays out as with my luck it would probably set off a nuclear explosion...don't ask me how...I simply turned the engine on, then turned the key again to make the starter motor turn again...and aha!...the same noise!  With the bonnet open the noise was definately coming from the motor and not the SAI pump on the nearside so I'm fairly certain.  Thanks to all again.  FT.