"clack" sound when starting my '82 240D
 

last time when i started my car, it made one "clack" sound and then started just fine. just one clack. it sounded like metal hitting metal. it was about 55 degrees out. car doesn't burn much oil or leak oil. smokes a little but not real noticeable.

cold starting- i have a MB cold starting guide that talks about holding your pedal all the way down and crank the engine that way. even though 55 is not cold, i thought i try it. i think this sound usually happens when i try this method. tried it 2 or 3 times only.
normally, the initial start, the car cranks about 4 seconds, one or two cylinders fire up, keep cranking, and then the rest. i think that is normal.

what could it be ? valves hitting something ? something to worry about ? i've owned the car 2400 miles and so far its starts and runs great.

Air Cleaner
 

My guess would be your air cleaner clanking once against the valve cover.

Hold the air cleaner and have an assistant start the car. I bet that makes it go away.

It sounds like you have at least one bad glow plug. Mine pretty much start instantly on all cylinders unless it is very cold. Do a search on glow plugs, there's lots on info here. I've never had much success with holding the throttle down for starting. Mine seem to start best without touching the throttle.

this sound is a solid sound, like a hammer hitting a piece of metal. the air cleaner, would'nt that be more of a sheet metal rattle sound ?

craig- should i just replace all my glow glugs since i'm new to the car. that way, i'll know where its at ? it would be $60 to change all 4.

[QUOTE=centroid1;1488982]this sound is a solid sound, like a hammer hitting a piece of metal. the air cleaner, would'nt that be more of a sheet metal rattle sound ?

[QUOTE]


You'd be suprised...mine were pretty loud upon startup and shutdown.

autozone has the Glow Plugs, for 9.95 each in stock... get bosch only! get two different purchases and put the 20.00 on the frequent buyer's card! you will be 2/3 of the way to a free 20.00 purchase!

John

You can replace them all if you want to know their status, I normally just replace them as they fail. Do you know how to test their resistance? I also use bosch GPs.

Does you glow plug light come on?

Yeah, the light comes on and goes off like its supposed to. i think i might want to replace all just so i know. is it difficult ?

not on a 4cylinder.

dude it's your starter
 

Mine was doing the same when it was cold. didn't do it later in the day when it warmed up. (i live in florida). replaced the starter and the sound went away.

dale

starter...hmmm... didn't even consider that. i'll keep an eye on it.