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Ok, I haven't posted in a long time, but I need your collective advice.

Yesterday AM I went to start my car to drive to work. The starter sounded like it was partially engaged. To make a long story short, my starter was gone and took a few pieces of my fly wheel as a memory.

I love my car, but I fear she's no longer worth the $1500, replacing my flywheel, clutch and everything else one should do while all this stuff is out.

So if a few teeth are gone off my flywheel, and it sounds wierd everytime it starts how long does it have left?

Should I try and sell my car while it is still startable, or could I drive it as is for a long time?

I need your collective opinions!

THX,
Daniel

Well mine has been doing this since the day I bought it (7 years).
Even Ford said it's not worth the repair until it finally doesn't start anymore, since it could be either the fly wheel or the starter.
Mine will grind about every 4th start and when it does happen it will finally start on the 2 or 3 try.

As for selling it, that's upto you, but remember it could happen when the person you try to sell it to starts it.
It could be up for sale for a long time if the problem is on every turn of the key.
Trade in value would be low too.

Do I hear AS IS!

Nope mine is grinding on every startup and there are definately a few teeth gone on the flywheel.

I'm going to go look at a few cars tomorrow, namely an 02 Hyundai Elantra GT and a 02 Focus ZTS.

If the dealers are offering me dirt for trade in (<1000 or so, thoug I have my fingers and wallet crossed for $1500) I may just post it in classifieds. At least someone here will have use for her.


We shall see,
Daniel

Well, I went to look at the Focus and Elantra GT.

I don't fit into the Elantra with the sunroof. Cant get the GT w/ ABS without the Leather and moonroof, and besides I'd really like the roof.

Finding a 2001 or 2002 Focus with a moonroof, the Zetec and a 5 spd has proved to be a challenge.

If anyone knows where I can find one, or someone dying for a 96 Contour SE 5spd, please PM me.

mine did the grinding for about a month upon start up,but mainly when the temperature was cooler. the starter motor would stick and keep spinning even after the engine was running,and it would continue to spin for anywhere from a few second sup to almost 5 minutes on one occasion. I finally replaced the starter motor,I beleive it was like $250 for the starter,and 3 hours labour to remove the old one and install the new one. My mechanic wasn't too happy with it,said it was a horrible job to do. he did say it was better that I replaced the starter when I did,otherwise I would have damaged my flywheel for sure,resulting in more repairs.

Whether you have an auto or a manual,it's going to be a painful job,and I already had my tranny replaced,and it took 2 days and the entire subframe had to be dropped,and the tranny and labour cost me $1000.

How many K? I might be interested

I am having the same problem right now. It started a few months ago, it's very intermittent. There would be times where I would have to try up to 4 times before she starts and there are days that it doesn't ahppen at all. I have contemplated about changing the starter, just need some funds right now. I am hoping that it wouldn't cost me a lot of money and would appreciate if you guys can let me know where a good shop would be around Mississauga. I regularly go to a small shop that a friend of mine goes to, and he ahs been very good with prices. I have not asked him yet how much it would be, but I also know someone who works for a dealership. Would getting a starter motor from a dealership for cost be cheaper than from anywhere else?

ive had it no start a couple times in the last couple weeks. Id say its just the cold.