Hi all, I have a 2007 l200 warrior. Love it to pieces, although just lately there's been a strange noise on startup - like a rattle, almost as if there is something caught up somewhere, going round & round, and then it disappears. It's only intermittent though, doesn't happen all the time. And I've noticed it sometimes can be heard if you take a corner heavily - very odd. Anyone have any ideas?

Tom :-)

A2OTHNE.. sounds as if the starter is staying engaged for a very short period after starting, stupid question.. do you start with the throttle down some... as this will often cause this, because the starter has not enough time to disengage before the revs pick up and 'grab' it... try starting on idle (no throttle ) if you do. if not then the 'dog gear' on the and of the started motor could be dirts and in need of cleaning... If you are a bit handy with the spanners, get the starter off and check the dog is free, just a spring stopping it coming forward up the gear..
Dont forget to have the battery earth cable off and well away from the terminal before disconnecting the starter cable..

Hi thanks for your reply, I don't start it with the throttle down but that could be worth a shot - is the starter motor easily accessible on these? Is it a massive job? I have had starters off on previous cars in the past, I'm no mechanic but know my way round an engine bay (more or less!)

Should also say its a fairly loud noise...

Shouldn't be difficult mate, once off just check the gaer is free, don't forget NO LUBE... is collects dust and just makes the problem 10 times worse in a very short space of time, also check the state of the teeth on the gear, could have been spun in to the ringgear at some time and burred the ends over. If they are and you have access to a grinder, just dres them back to normal..

ps.. please shove your truck details in the siggy space at the bottom, do it in options at the top, so we can always see the year and model etc, if you would also stick a pin in the map, we can possible get you along to local meets when they happen, got a clay shoot in 2 weeks ( Horesham) and a meet in Cornwall too..several a year over the wall ( Scotland) and north of England regulars too.

Ok, I will investigate when I have a moment. Thanks for your advice, and I will do :-)

Just had a quick search to see what my starter would look like, and it seems the dog gear your on about is covered, do I need to dismantle the motor to get to it?
Thanks

No mate should be able to twist the gear and it will spin forwards along a helical / spiral cut set of splines.

Okey doke. Just had a quick look but couldn't see it, any pointers on where it is?!

In the nose of the starter mate, may be down inside and you'll have to hook it forward..

Y would the starter motor rattle tho when taking a corner heavily??

I kinda wondered that but sounded feasible otherwise... Anyway, located starter with a plan to remove it this weekend and see what's what, but to be completely honest the noise has totally disappeared the last couple of days! It was seeming to make a noise SOMETIMES on heavy cornering, and also when switching the ignition off, you could faintly hear it slowing down as the engine stops. Literally as if there was something caught up somewhere. But it seems to have gone, for now anyway. Watch this space! (But all ideas are welcome).