Hey friends! I have a 2008 Sport auto, 57k miles.
On cold start, it makes this noise:

My mechanic thought it was a belt noise and replaced the serpentine belt, but no change.
I found another Youtube video with comments indicating VTC actuator.
Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Update! I found another thread after I posted that indicates this is the starter bendix beginning to fail - seems common with Denso starters.
Would love if someone could confirm based on the sound in the video.
Thanks!!

 

Yup, that's definitely "the sound". It'll keep making this sound for a long time before anything fails, but replacing the starter will resolve it.

 

Thanks for confirming! Is there any harm in driving it like this, i.e. until the problem worsens?

 

I don't believe so, but I'm just a guy on the internet. When I finally replaced my starter, there was no apparent damage to the pinion gear. My car made the sound when I purchased it (230k), and I drove it another 10k before replacing the starter. No idea how long it had been doing it before.

 

Does it happen very often? Every cold start? I have had this happen on my car but very rarely (maybe 20 times over 6 years). In my case, didnt see the need to replace or bother looking into it but if it is happening quite often I would most likely change my mind.

 

Since most people do not bother to investigate a root cause, they just slap in rebuilt starter when noise comes on every start
The issue has to be narrowed down to :
a) sticking starter solenoid plunger (confirmed by owner of Acura RSX, which is using almost identical starter)
b) wear of the planetary gearset (common on VW Jetta, fixed by lubrication with thick grease)
What I see on the junk yard most rebuild starters have new solenoid and CV joint like grease packed planetary gearboxes
So, I've bought the junk yard USED starter, greased the gearbox and replaced the solenoid I took from rebuild starter
It made no noise after start last winter, will check in a few months again.

 

This also happened on my 2006 Honda Accord 5MT that I'm assuming used a similar design. Took nearly a year before I got a no-start issue, but even then if I cycled the key on and off it would eventually fire. It siezed after a few months, but it worked for a surprisingly long time without damaging any other components I was aware of. Totaled the car, so I'll never find out.

My clutch master cylinder (that had never had the brake fluid changed) blew before my starter did and it started having issues first, so I would definitely suggest just buying the part and waiting until it fails if you have complementary towing with your insurance.

Edit: My 2008 Fit Sport 5MT is also currently having this issue below 60F. Just gonna wait because I know exactly what it is now, and I already replaced the clutch hydraulics so they wont fail beforehand

 

I would suggest to owners living in rust belt (and in other places as well) to prepare in advance by breaking loose starter attachment bolts and then tightening them up with reasonable force; also try to work the dipstick tube out.This will save aggravation during actual starter replacement.

 

Mine (MT) has been doing it for over a year now. Having the starter replaced next week. Do a lot of FAS so apparently can go a long time with the noise before no-start failure.

I believe these are gear reduction starters so speculate it is bearing failure leading to grinding of reduction gears.

 

There are 4 bushing total
Two 7 mm ID for the armature: one in the rear cover, one in the carrier flange output shaft (prime suspect)
Two 11 mm ID for the output shaft one in the planetary housing one in the nose
The stationary ring gear is plastic in Fit starter
Similar noise made by 2000 Jetta
and this
This planetary noise is a bit different; the one from Fit is more like sticking pinion gear

 

My 2008 (230k miles) has been doing the same thing for years. It is absolutely temperature dependent - chatter is noticeable in the 40s and gets worse with decreasing temps. If I plug in my engine block heater for a few hours, the chatter goes away no matter how cold it is outside. Still running the original starter.

 

My car does this too, and it's more apparent/louder as it gets colder out.

Is there a better-than-most starter out there?
Was going to use a reman Denso but would like to just replace it once and not have to worry about it again

 

Considering car 14 years old, a replacement starter with 5 to 7 year life span is more than enough.

 

My 2009, 80k, has the exact same behavior. I'm going to wait until it seems to get worse before replacing the starter.