first, it is made by man, and had a flaw. now what do you think?

 

Hey I heard that sound right before I threw a rod in one of my old Mopars.

The starter not sitting right (not tightened) and gouging at the teeth to the point they break off. Or if ya have a random bolt just bouncing around in there tearing it up. I still think your flywheel is loose or missing a bolt.

 

Wouldn't it always make noise while driving if the flywheel was loose? It makes 2 clacks/clunks whatever u want to call it. Engine shakes with each clack. I tried to show my friend and started the engine like 10 times but it didn't do it. Its random.

 

filthyLS4: Did you ever figure out what your starting noise problem was? I have a 93 LS w/ 83k and about 1 out of 25 times it will make that sound when starting the car. The car always starts, but it makes that very unpleasant sound for about one second after the starter kicks in. "Clacking" is a good way to describe it (like: "clack clack clack"). I am not saying it is, but it sounds like the starter and flywheel teeth did not met up well or disengage properly. But then the car starts anyways every time.

I also think it could be electrical (battery, alternator etc). I know for fact my PS pump is leaking. Probably leaking into the alternator.

Just curious if you finally solved your starting noise problem. I am going to have to work on my soon. I guess for me the first thing to do is to stop the PS pump/hose leaks. (and check the battery of course)

 

My 1999 LS400 starts to have this issue after I replace a new battery.
The new battery has CCA=650. I wonder if it is because of the new battery does not have enough CCA?

 

After re-reading through thread it sounds (seems) to me that either the flywheel/ring gear has some worn teeth on it, when engine is switched off it usually stops/settles in one of three positions and if some teeth are worn and you happen to be in that spot it will make the sound when starter engages, sometimes just replacing the starter will fix it as starter teeth will be worn too, however it may require a new flywheel which means tranny removed...