TR2/3/3A Went to start the TR3......THAT did not sound good!

[karls59tr]

The starter was cranking really slow...then I heard a whoosh like air escaping?.....then only the sound of metal clatter down in the starter area...maybe the ring gear? I have not had a chance to check it out yet. The car is in the garage. Was the whoosh a failed head gasket.....the last gasp? Any ideas as to where to start to track the issue down? Previously the starter was cranking really slow sometimes so it might be on the way out. Tried to start it again and heard the clatter. Karl

 

[CJD]

I don't know, but ring gear sounds like a very good guess. The odds of both a head gasket and starter issue at the same time is, fortunately, not likely.

The easiest way to check is to open the clutch cover and look around with a flashlight...that is faster than pulling the starter to look.

 

[karls59tr]

Good idea.

 

[charleyf]

The starter was cranking really slow...then I heard a whoosh like air escaping?.....then only the sound of metal clatter down in the starter area...maybe the ring gear? I have not had a chance to check it out yet. The car is in the garage. Was the whoosh a failed head gasket.....the last gasp? Any ideas as to where to start to track the issue down? Previously the starter was cranking really slow sometimes so it might be on the way out. Tried to start it again and heard the clatter. Karl

I would first check to verify the battery is good and cables to/ from battery are clean and making good contact.
Charley

 

[Hamish Racing]

My starting guess is the pinion cog on the starter.
I had this on a hi-torque starter.

 

[karls59tr]

My starting guess is the pinion cog on the starter.
I had this on a hi-torque starter.

I'll have a look at that today. There used to be a good old school shop where I live that could repair starters and generators on these cars but it seems that it may be a lost art now.

 

[Hamish Racing]

If it’s the mechanical end rather than the electrickery end it should be reasonably fixable