My car is making a terrible noise when I try to start it - what's going on?

[john5]

I let my brother borrow my 88,000 mile 2003 P5 and while he was on the freeway, the engine made a terrible clanging, banging, clunking sound and stopped working. After he pulled it over, it would not start. The battery is good and the starter is good. When cranking, the engine sounds like it is trying to start, but it makes a terrible clanging and banging sound (sounds like something in the engine itself is broken). I plugged it into my OBDII machine and there were no codes. I will be taking it into the shop this Saturday, but I would like to know what you guys think beforehand, so that I know what to expect and how discuss the issue with the mechanic.

 

[tweety2300]

Vic's screw? Or piston deteriorated

 

[Jordysoso]

I'd say probably something with a piston. But with no codes being thrown, it's kinda difficult to say.

 

[wallabe]

Is there a way you can record the sound and post it? Interested to see what it sounds like.

Also is it leaking any kind of fluid?

 

[Lewis7789]

Is it like a random clanking/knocking sound? I agree with tweety, sounds like your VCIS butterflies. How good are you with a wrench? It's not too difficult to pull your intake manifold off and make sure all your butterflies are still in tact.

 

[shane02pro5]

Assuming theres no puddle of oil on the ground and there is plenty in the motor... I still suggest not even trying to start it... Pull out the plugs and peek with a flashlight and even a magnet into the cylinders then a $20 compression tester from the auto parts to rule out cylinder/piston/ring damage. Sometimes VICS butterfly screws make it to the cat in the exhaust without damaging anything on the way??

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Is there a way you can record the sound and post it? Interested to see what it sounds like.

Also is it leaking any kind of fluid?

Starved Rod Bearing.
Bent Rod
Bent Valve
or you sucked in a Screw and Plate.

 

[john5]

Thanks for the responses. I agree it is something in the engine. If the mechanic tries to start it, I will record it. I think this is going to be expensive...

 

[john5]

Also not leaking any fluids. The sound is a grinding clanging sound. It sounded like it was breaking from the inside...

 

[Jordysoso]

Kind of like a metallic clapping sound? Hard to explain what I mean but taking 2 pieces of metal that are flat and hitting them together perfectly flat, and disregarding the pinging sound. Idk lol I'll just take a sound clip of my brothers quad trying to start. By the time I get it, if you have it figured out I won't bother but still worth a comparison.

 

[john5]

timing belt

Talked to an expert at work and he said it was most likely the timing belt breaking, as it was never changed to my knowledge.

 

[stivine6]

at 88k miles the timing belt should've been fine, shouldnt be breaking anywhere near those miles

 

[shane02pro5]

...and there is no breaking period for a timing belt it's either in tact or broken. Expert huh?? LOL... what does a "breaking" timing belt sound like...your talking with several experts on these cars right here dude. Many of us have seen heard and smelled every possible thing that could go wrong or right with a protege.

 

[Lewis7789]

^^^ Boom! I mean, he's pretty much right there.

What's the point in making a post about your problem if you aren't going to to look into it yourself, take any advice from members on here and just take it to a shop? Just sayin...

 

[john5]

timing belt

Let me rephrase. The timing belt broke and the noise is the belt flapping around.

 

[Lewis7789]

Is that even possible? Since there wouldn't be any timing I wouldn't think the motor would even turn, unless the starter is just turn it over.

 

[shane02pro5]

LOLOLOL! It is absolutely impossible for a motor to run without the topend being driven. When a timing belt breaks the motor instantly shuts off... promise!!

 

[Cmezz331]

Also, it's a noninterference engine... It would simply snap off, and be gone forever. The engine would stop....

 

[wallabe]

Something sounds fishy here, alright everyone calm the **** down. Let's not turn into some Nancy Drew's around here. Let's wait till the OP gives us the final word on the mechanics diagnostic.

 

[Tekk]

last time my timing belt went, my head took a viciously malicious beating, all in all, you ****** s*** up son,

and like its been stated, your timing belt goes, youre not turning s*** all over.