Clanking sound for 1 second on cold start

I have a metal hitting metal squeal or shriek or clank for just a second at the first start of the day when the car is cold. It may not be metal hitting metal (pulley or something). It doesn't occur any other time. Sounds like what CrossT was describing on his thread "new to me '99" but not sure he got a consensus answer. It doesn't seem to be getting worse and I've heard it since I bought the car 5 months ago. Thanks.

have someone else start the car and you stick your head back there and try to issolate the general area - that might help.... even if it takes a couple days to track down - could be the starter or and number of other things....

First thing to go on these cars is the water pump. Take a look from under the car to see if you see a lot of dried coolant residues around that area.

The valvetrain has to build-up oil pressure once you fire it up. Without the pressure, it sounds kind of like a chinging sound - at least mine always did.

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Sounds like you need to replace your chain tensioners, go with pressure-fed upgrade ---- just kidding. Ah, the goode olde days....

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Remove serpentine belt and start cold engine. If noise present source is not from accessory drive or belt idler roller or tensioner. Be sure you reinstall belt running the same direction it was running when you removed it. If noise not present when you start engine and doesn't appear in a moment or so -- you let engine idle nearly 30 seconds or so and maybe longer but 30 seconds long enough since noise comes on right at start -- then one of the idler roller bearings is bad. Or tensioner or an accessory drive is binding. Check for signs of over heating or belt slippage on any idler roller, tensioner or accessory drive. Sincerely, Macster.

I get the same type of noise on cold start only. When the engine starts the noise happens when the starter disengages and "freewheels" for a second. Sort of a loose metallic squeal/screech/chatter. No difference with the belt removed. I'm 98% convinced it is the starter over ride mechanism. Does anyone know what type of drive/release M96 starters have? Solenoid-/lever/sprag - inertial/bendix - inertial/bendix/sprag overide - or??? 2003 C2 Cab

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If that's the case then it is the starter. As starters get old the return tension gets sloppy and returns slowly. Quit common, sounds like that's what it is. Solution is either a new starter or to have your rebuilt or cleaned.

Robin 993DX, That is pretty much what I thought. Strange that it only happens first start of the day.

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Make sense as it is cold, and the return mechanism is old and tired and gets sticky. Have you tried a cold start on a warm summer day with your ar parked out in the sun?

WHAT LEAVE MY 911 OUTSIDE at night??!!!?? OMG the humanity. I had to drive across the grass the other day. I went right to the tire store and had them change those contaminated tires, all grass stained with bug guts in the tread EWW!. I haven't tried that yet. The car has been doing this since I bought it last year. It has not increased in volume so I have developed "situational selective hearing". If it changes or when the IMS bearing detonates I will take a look at it.