the infrequent dreaded whirring sound at ignition has me wondering if I can get away with it being just a starter or if I might be in for a flywheel...
is there a quick/easy way to rule out the flywheel? ('85 300D)

(besides putting in a new starter and seeing if the problem persists?)

thanks all-

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Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

On most cars that is due to what we used to call a bad bendix spring. I guess the official name is something like pinion actuator? Anyway it doesnt push the starter pinion gear into the flywheel teeth and grab it, so the starter just spins. Have an automotive electric shop rebuild your starter or get a good rebuilt and it should be fine. While missing/worn flywheel teeth can do what you described it is not the statistically probably cause. Remote odds.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

There is a way. Next time it whirs but does not start, take the starter out and look at the flywheel. If it is damaged you'll be able to see it Missing/worn down teeth, etc.). I'm not sure on a Mercedes-Benz, but a lot of times you can either see or feel the flywheel teeth with your fingers without removing the starter. If the flywheel isn't damaged, it's probably a starter component. With the starter out, you can brace the starter against something with your foot (or even safer put it in a vise) and hook it up directly to see how it acts. Using jumper cables from your battery, hook the ground to any part of the starter that's clean/unpainted, then bridge the large terminal on the solenoid (the one furthest from the starter body - that the battery wires were connected to) with either of the smaller two with the positive. Keep your fingers clear of the hole as the bendix will immediately push the starter gear out as it spins it (instantaneously). Alternatively, you could take it to any chain auto shop where they usually test them for free. Good luck!

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Yea mine did the wirring thing for a long time, until I got tired of it . I took it the starter was just not engaging and the bushing had so much slop in it , it was a wonder it worked at all . As far as my records show it might have been the original starter . Well I Just put in a bosch unit in a couple of weeks ago . I elected to go with the 300d into my 240d Could not be happier , anyway it is finally done . I turned the engine over all the way to look at the flywheel teeth and they were slightly marked up , glad I put the new one in .

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A couple of Ford pickups F 150,250, 350 missed.
1983 240 D 256,000 miles ,auto, ac.

djugurba,

If the sound is a whirring and not a screeching, hair raising and scary, grinding event, it is most likely the starter, like others have said here. In any case, when the starter ruins the ring gear on the flywheel you only need a new ring gear. The old flywheel comes off and they press the old, damaged toothed ring gear off. Then they press a new one on. Not cheap as digging your way in to the flywheel will cost you some time at a shop.

Good luck. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

The flywheel is made of a very tough material. I would think it rarely goes bad on these cars.

On the other hand, the starter is going to be about shot on a 20-year old car. Your symptoms match the ones I had on the car's original (I guess) starter and later a used one that I put on.

After I put on a rebuilt (a great deal from FastLane - check it out) there has been no problem.

Mine would spin and then as the spinning wound down it would catch the flywheel. Made you think the flywheel was bad. It was hardly even scratched.

You need a starter.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Happy confirmation of my original thoughts. Thanks all.
Kevin

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Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

There is an over-running clutch on the starter so that it won't drag if the starter is held in engagement after the engine starts, and if this goes bad you get either a whirr (starter turning but not engaged) or a screech (starter engaged, but overrunning clutch slipping). Very rarely get a bad flywheel. The clutch can be replaced. However, I'd check the starter bushings, too -- very much play and you are better off with a replacement.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!