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Very Loud Noise!

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clrbrown

New CEG'er
Joined
Mar 30, 2007
Messages
9
I have a 97 Contour GL 2.0 automatic Zetec engine. I blew a head gasket. So I got a rebuilt engine for it. On first start a loud grinding sound is heard and will not go away. I believed at first it was the motor, but today I started it again and I really think it maybe coming from the starter or somewhere near it. Maybe the flywheel hitting the flexplate does that make since. Starter maybe hitting flywheel!!! I'm at a loss! :shrug: I pulled the starter today but it looked fine and so did the flywheel! ??? I did not install engine and am not a mechanic, but know the engine pretty well. Someone mentioned shims on starter, but ford does not have them I believe.

Second Question..The company that sold me the engine stated they have another engine from a 99, to me it looks the exact same, but book states that I have to have 97 to work. Any direction on this would be very helpful.
 
Welcome :) . First figure out where the sound is coming from. If it is not coming from the engine, don't change it. The problem won't go away if you change the wrong part. Post a sound clip.

How does the tranny "drive"? As for the switch from 99 to 97, there were some changes for emissions but I'm not sure how it affects the engine. You should see some sort of green cap on a tube for the 99s. I suppose you will have issues with the PCM (computer) if you use a 99 engine.

Edit. Not that this applies to your Zetec 2.0 but for the Duratec 2.5 1995, 1996 and I believe the 1997, there is a crescent-shaped bracket which holds the starter. You may want to check again if the starter is missing a bracket or bolt.

Autozonelink.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1b/c3/4b/0900823d801bc34b.jsp
 
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maybe the solenoid on the starter is shot and not letting the starter dis-engage the flywheel. does it sound like the starter is continuing after the initial crank?
 
Easy way to replicate the sound.. start the car, and then tap the starter.. sound like that?

I'm not saying that you should DO that, but I am sure you HAVE done it before. everyone has.
 
Had the exact problem after an engine swap. There is a thick aluminum plate between the engine and flexplate. If the engine is resting on the ground without support it bends the AL plate. I thought it would straighten out when I bolted the two together but no luck. Also no luck trying to bend it out of the way with a prybar through the access hole in the bottom. After about three months whatever was hitting wore down and it has been silent ever since.
 
Not a new engine friend was hit, insuranced totaled his car, he had only 56000 on engine so got it! The car still ran and drove fine after side swipe.

The problem I having now!!! Really pissing me off!!! Might seem stupid but I can't get the starter out from under car. Seems to have no room to get out...California car looks like there is smog stuff everwhere. I can back it out a little then hits trans axel mount then there is some type of pipe going into the plasic manifold that is in the way. Tried to remove it but the pipe goes in aways and can't get it out cause the stater is in the way. There must be a way!!!!
 
K, took off transaxel mount starter came right out..Getting dark here so I'll let you know if it was it...Something interesting though looking at flywheel teeth all look ok...but there are these little pieces of medal that raise and are connected to the flywheel I can see that they have been rubbing somewhere, cause nice an shinny compaired to rest...tried to bend the medal by starter to see if it was something by there. If not do I have to pull engine again and put in a new flexplate.
 
Turns out the guy who installed the motor did not line up the holes in the fly wheel when Installing it...so he bent the flywheel which caused it to hit on the flywheel sensor housing. So leave it here as a lesson for all line up the holes, not sure how he even bolted it up...
 
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