Starter not disengaging?

[katenmark]

We are proud new owners of a Smartie we picked up in Buffalo NY on July 3rd. The last 2 days, when the car is cold, there is this loud whining sound coming from the engine after we start it - not all the time.. I just didn't like the sound of it. The first time It happened [yesterday] I waited about 10 seconds before I turned it off. When I started up a second time, it did what it should. It happened 2 more times yesterday, the final time it took 3-4 starts before it would stop the sound when the engine caught. I think the bendix - or equivalent mechanism - is not releasing form the flywheel. Maybe it isn't quite aligned correctly and needs to be repositioned/rebolted. Or... my wife thinks it is just a warming up sound? It doesn't seem to do it after the car is warmed up. I don't like how it sounds. The sound stops eventually after about 30 seconds. Has anyone else had this happen? Do you think we should worry about it?
Mark and Kate C

[JPaul]

It's absolutely normal: a vacuum pump.

See more at:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...73-post13.html
and surrounding posts... Enjoy!
And congratulations!

[Dunerunner]

The pump purges the unburned vapors from the catylitic converter at cold start-up.

[Dave777]

Agreed. It's normal.

[jefferios]

I wonder how it will sound when its 0*F in the winter?

[kannonvaggon]

There is most definitely a "normal" whine like a turbine fan sound on initial startup. This is apparently the purge operation of a valve and suction fan to clear the fuel intake of any possible fumes which might deplete the ozone layer and induce global warming...

This sounds NOTHING like a hung starter with the bendix stuck engaged in the flywheel though..... If you have a sound of metallic gears being ground to a fine pulp then I'd suggest a call to your friendly Smart center. If it sounds like a high speed fan I'd say yer good to go. The sound should stop on it's own after maybe 20 seconds or less. It won't do this on a warmed engine all the time. There are some other "strange" noises which you'll learn are normal, associated with the auto-adjustment of the brake and clutch systems. Some folks hear them and some don't. It depends on a given vehicle and how hard you are listening at the time.

Just part of the "charm" ....

[bottlerocket]

How long have you had the car? I get it every time I start the car if it's cold, so the fact that you just noticed it made me wonder why you haven't heard it before.

By the way, it's very normal.

[rollingtones]

The air injection pump will run for 100 to 110 seconds during a cold start to reduce emissions. Mercedes-Benz cars have them too, you just cannot hear it as it is usually under the rear seat in a foam soundproof housing.

[Grump]

having bought mine used I had never heard that noise until engine lite came on it was coded as needing to replace said pump $360 plus labor. Startled the hell outa me when I got car back.

NOW, is this noise a 100% of the time cold start thing or will sometimes not do it? Cause mine didn't this morning!37 degrees

[SmartDigger]

Originally Posted by Grump

NOW, is this noise a 100% of the time cold start thing or will sometimes not do it? Cause mine didn't this morning!37 degrees

It will only do it when it needs to. I am not sure how it knows but it does. Mine does not do it all the time just first thing in am ond then iff it sits for a long time in the cold temps.