[ctmazda]

Ok guys, so my starter has been making that squealing noise for a while, and as i have found out, it is most likely clutch dust in the starter. So my question is, what replacement starter would be the best for my MTX?
I found a website with a few different brands listed, are any of these good/reputable?
Race Pages - Mazda Starter - 2004 Mazda 6 Starter

 

[flipper66]

have your stock starter rebuilt.

much better solution than trying to find a replacement..... least then you know 100% if fits and usually takes a day or less turn around time.

plus it usually is cheaper.

Ps if clutch dust is your issue just remove it, clean it, re-grease it, and re-install.

 

[familyman333]

have your stock starter rebuilt.

much better solution than trying to find a replacement..... least then you know 100% if fits and usually takes a day or less turn around time.

plus it usually is cheaper.

Ps if clutch dust is your issue just remove it, clean it, re-grease it, and re-install.

Mine is making noise also. Mainly on a cold start but it sounds like the bendix (sp?) spins too long. Could removing and cleaning fix that problem?

 

[ctmazda]

I have heard of people cleaning the starter out, for the same problem to come back again in a few months due to clutch dust build up.

I plan on purchasing a new starter, along with a replacement clutch at the same time since the OE one seems to be a high dust producer. This should prevent the problem from reoccuring or at the least prolong it for a good amount of time.

With that being said, i would really like to find a replacement starter to purchase (online) to go with my new clutch. So any insight on where i can do that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[flipper66]

replacing the clutch is the only solution to the clutch dust issue. dave had 3 factory starters replaced IIRC before he gave up.

that said, get one from Mazmart or ebay if you are really bent on getting a second one. Anything outside of OEM is just more opporunity for issues and no real gains other than maybe cheaper.... which beating Mazmart of ebay is going to be difficult.

 

[flipper66]

Mine is making noise also. Mainly on a cold start but it sounds like the bendix (sp?) spins too long. Could removing and cleaning fix that problem?

the starter spins too long? like it sticks?

could be dirty or the actuator is not full retracting.....

is your car ATX or mtx?

 

[javim007]

I'd just buy one from your local Napa store. You can get one with "lifetime replacement". So if anything happens to it while you own the car ,at least you won't be out the $$ for the starter. Not probable ,but you never know.And it's probably your next to best bet that it'll fit next to buying one from a Mazda dealer.

 

[ctmazda]

I have a MTX. It makes an odd screeching noise, which could be described as a whiney squealing. I do have high miles, but im hoping that replacing/cleaning the starter and replacing the clutch will solve the problem.

If i were to go the route of having it rebuilt, what exactly is this process? And could it be done by the local auto shop?

 

[flipper66]

They remove all the guts and replace with all fresh parts. they just use the core.

They are brand new inside and out when they are done.

cleaning and clutch replacement is the cheapest route and the one I would recommend.

 

[ctmazda]

Okay, i will likely be going with the cleaning in that case. I have tried searching for how to's on this, with little success. Any chance you'd know a good DIY?

 

[flipper66]

I just might

How to: remove starter from mazda 6 3.0L - 6Crew.com Forum

thats how to remove. spray a little brake cleaner in there and the clutch dust will pour out. I recommend regreasing the gears with a high heat safe grease.

 

[usa1552]

My starter (03 6s MTX) has had the squeal after the engine starts for some time. But I also started to get a loud grinding noise as soon as I turned the key on about 1 out of 20 or more starts, so I decided to replace it using your guide, flipper. Thanks, BTW

So here's the thing, I got one from AutoZone yesterday and now the squeal is gone completely but I'm getting the loud grinding noise often now (maybe 1 in 5 starts). I know that it's possible that I have flywheel teeth issues thanks to letting the post-start squeal go on for so long but I'm clueless as to why it's happening MUCH more often on the new starter. Any advice?

 

[flipper66]

Sounds like you didn't secure the starter down all the way.

 

[larsjessen]

I just replaced my started with a lifetime warranty re-manufactured starter, and i tried starting it a bunch of times to make sure it went away but it still made the same noise, not as often and it sounded a bit different. It seemed to do it when i turned the key on very fast instead of letting the battery light come on for a second...does that make any sense? I looked at the ring gear on my flywheel when i had it out and it seemed to be in very good condition but is it possible there is a flat part on the ring gear?

 

[flipper66]

It is very possible you have a flat spot in your ring gear.

take the new starter out and see if the gears have any signs of damage to them already.

 

[usa1552]

Sounds like you didn't secure the starter down all the way.

OK, so I pulled the starter today to make sure it was fully seated. While out, I checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks good, though there are a few teeth that show very minor wear. They aren't ground down really, just shiny so I know something has been chewing on them a bit. the wear is not on the top of the teeth but on the front of them facing the starter pinion. I put it back in and made sure that it was fully seated and tight but after testing about 10 starts, I still heard the grind one time.

Is it possible that the "remanufactured" AutoZone starter solenoid is the issue? The sound I'm hearing and the wear on the front of the ring gear teeth makes me think that the issue is the starter motor is spinning the pinion gear before the solenoid gets it pushed forward enough to fully engage the ring gear.

 

[flipper66]

what "grind"

can you discribe it.

could be their starter isn't fully engauging(this is what causes a grind sound and only extends the starter part way) which causes the starter gears to not grab the ring gear properly and do damage to it.

No telling if it is the starter of the gear. The gear has teeth all the way around it so you may have 1 spot that is missing teeth and that is the sound you are hearing..... hard to to say.