Every time I start Serenity I feel and hear a clunk from the engine bay as soon as i turn the key, the clunk does not happen if the engine is warm when I start it. I was thinking maybe starter? Is this a sign my starter's gear is going bad? Could it be something else entirely? My motor mounts are new.

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Serenity-86' 300SDL 482,000 miles (on a "14" head!)

Are the motor mount bolts torqued to spec?

Do you feel the clunk in the floor?

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

For the most part the clunk is felt in the floor. I have absolutely no idea what the mm bolts are supposed to be torqued to, so no.

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Serenity-86' 300SDL 482,000 miles (on a "14" head!)

Just snug them down and you'll be fine.

Try this after the car has sat for a long time, open the hood and stand on the passenger side of the facing the motor grab the motor with both hands and pull, listen for a sound that is like what your hearing. I had the exact same issue on my 280CE. Turned out to be a cross threaded motor mount bolt, I didn't replace them, a mechanic did many years ago.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg