F150 (1999) Starting Problem

Help! I bought a used F150 at Carmax -- ever since I bought it, it
will occaisionally make a grinding noise when I try to start it
(sounds like when you start a vehicle that's already running). The
noise is loud and abrasive. They replaced the starter -- that didn't
fix it. Of course, they can't duplicate the problem when it's on-
site. A co-worker said it may be the ring gear. Does anyone have any
suggestions? The Carmax guys can't figure it out -- I've taken it
there three times -- it there, again.

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Help! I bought a used F150 at Carmax -- ever since I bought it, it
> will occaisionally make a grinding noise when I try to start it
> (sounds like when you start a vehicle that's already running). The
> noise is loud and abrasive. They replaced the starter -- that
> didn't
> fix it. Of course, they can't duplicate the problem when it's on-
> site. A co-worker said it may be the ring gear. Does anyone have
> any
> suggestions? The Carmax guys can't figure it out -- I've taken it
> there three times -- it there, again.

The flywheel/flex plate has a bad spot on the ring gear that the
starter engages. Only way to fix it is too pull the transmission and
replace the ring gear. I suspect the guys at Carmax know exactly what
is wrong, but don't want to do the work. If you can get a look at the
ring gear, just turn the engine over until you get to the bad spot and
take a picture and give it to the "guys" at Carmax. Be sure to circle
the bad teeth in red, you won't want them to miss the problem again.

Ed

On Apr 20, 10:15 am, "C. E. White" >
wrote:
> > wrote in message
>
> ups.com...
>
> > Help! I bought a used F150 at Carmax -- ever since I bought it, it
> > will occaisionally make a grinding noise when I try to start it
> > (sounds like when you start a vehicle that's already running). The
> > noise is loud and abrasive. They replaced the starter -- that
> > didn't
> > fix it. Of course, they can't duplicate the problem when it's on-
> > site. A co-worker said it may be the ring gear. Does anyone have
> > any
> > suggestions? The Carmax guys can't figure it out -- I've taken it
> > there three times -- it there, again.
>
> The flywheel/flex plate has a bad spot on the ring gear that the
> starter engages. Only way to fix it is too pull the transmission and
> replace the ring gear. I suspect the guys at Carmax know exactly what
> is wrong, but don't want to do the work. If you can get a look at the
> ring gear, just turn the engine over until you get to the bad spot and
> take a picture and give it to the "guys" at Carmax. Be sure to circle
> the bad teeth in red, you won't want them to miss the problem again.
>
> Ed

Wow -- awesome Ed! I appreciate the help!