Hello all, just joined today.

I have just noticed today that when I start up my Fabia 1.9tdi it makes a whirring sound for a few seconds after it starts plus if I just turn the key without starting a crunching noise comes from under the centre of the car, Ive had to go through some very deep sbnow this last week and is it possible something may have gotten snow damaged underneath ? i dont have the equipment to raise it up and look.

Sounds like the fuel pump priming, nothing to worry about

Hello all, just joined today.

I have just noticed today that when I start up my Fabia 1.9tdi it makes a whirring sound for a few seconds after it starts plus if I just turn the key without starting a crunching noise comes from under the centre of the car, Ive had to go through some very deep sbnow this last week and is it possible something may have gotten snow damaged underneath ? i dont have the equipment to raise it up and look.

If the noise from under the car is more of a squelch than a crunch it's just the fuel pump/ diesel heater coming up to pressure. It's a long silver thing under the d/s sill.

Regards Chris

If the noise from under the car is more of a squelch than a crunch it's just the fuel pump/ diesel heater coming up to pressure. It's a long silver thing under the d/s sill.

Regards Chris

Thanks guys.

Its just I have never heard it before especially the whirring sound after it starts, had a new belt fitted at 40k service last month.

the starter motor spindle can stick inside the gearbox casing, this was quite common on Ford Galaxy with the same engine, all that needs doing is pull the starter out, clean the spindle with scotchbrite or something similar, a dab of copper slip on the spindle and refit, should cure the noise

That, is the noise a sticky starter motor makes (1.4 petrol, but should sound the same).

That, is the noise a sticky starter motor makes (1.4 petrol, but should sound the same).

Cheers T.F. it does sound like that.

been looking at this :-

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2269482

The guide wasn't much use to me for removing the motor as it's a different car, but the repair process should be the same should you go it alone.

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the suggestions, had the fitter look at it today and he reckons the starter drive is sticking and not returning back fast enough and is therefore catching the flywheel teeth as the noise is after the car starts and not before, if it gets worse it could strip teeth off the flywheel but on the other hand it may free itself when it has warmed through enough.

His recommendation, get a new starter fitted, it seems it is a common fault with VW starters.

Sound plausible.

Save yourself 150 quid and just service the starter drive (I call it a bendix). Mine did exactly the same and all I did was remove the starter, clean the starter drive by opening an cleaning the starter and lubricating the bendix with some grease on the inside. It is just a bitch to get to the starter as the battery and airbox has to come out to get to it. An afternoons work when it is a bit warmer.

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the suggestions, had the fitter look at it today and he reckons the starter drive is sticking and not returning back fast enough and is therefore catching the flywheel teeth as the noise is after the car starts and not before, if it gets worse it could strip teeth off the flywheel but on the other hand it may free itself when it has warmed through enough.

His recommendation, get a new starter fitted, it seems it is a common fault with VW starters.

Sound plausible.

All very well when you are young ,fit and savvy but I am none of these so its the garage i'm afraid,

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the suggestions, had the fitter look at it today and he reckons the starter drive is sticking and not returning back fast enough and is therefore catching the flywheel teeth as the noise is after the car starts and not before, if it gets worse it could strip teeth off the flywheel but on the other hand it may free itself when it has warmed through enough.

His recommendation, get a new starter fitted, it seems it is a common fault with VW starters.

Sound plausible.

like i said in post #6, so just ask your mechanic to clean up the spindle as i have said, why replace when there is nothing actually wrong with the starter motor