SWEETSOUND2001

Here are the details...
93 LS400
88K miles
All scheduled services have been done.

Recently the engien has been sounding strange upon start-up. The sound is while the starter is cranking. Normally it produces a very smooth whining sound, but sometimes it just sounds rough. Also, occasionally it makes a very short grinding noise immediately after the engine starts. I haven't had a problem with starting yet (it always starts no matter the sound) but I'd like to figure out why does it sound like this. I took it in to the dealer and they told me it could be an exhaust leak or something else and they wanted $80 to diagnose it. Then my personal mechanic said I may just need to clean my fuel injectors...Well. I don't know what to beleive. What do you guys recommend?

Anton

Lvangundy

Hopefully it's not the flywheel..

SharpLS-96

Sounds like the gears in the "starter" are going.

Horta

Hey my 91 started having some weird sound like that at start up, a loud clanking ratteling noise. My problem happen to be the water pump started falling apart. Also some of the pullies needed to be replaced.

Have you replaced yours yet?

GA400

Same thing happened to me a couple of months ago. The water pump bearing was going out and it finally seized, taking the timing belt with it. It was ugly, but the 1st generation are non-interference, 95 and up are not (as in possible valve damage if it goes out). Best to go get it looked at proactively, rather than wait to be stranded when it breaks (my 2 cents)

GA400