Monday morning I heard a ticking after starting the car.
Turned the engine off after a few seconds, bonnet up looking for anything obvious, no oil puddle underneath so I go to start again. All I hear is the starter spinning and nothing else.

Busy with exams/assignments but finally got a look today. Should have the replacement by Friday

 

Ha *Oh Snap!"

Glad you knew where to look.

 

Holy ****, wtf happened to it? Looks like it literally exploded, did it ever make a big bang or noise that you heard? DIY FTMFGDW all day...........................

 

Did you get the rest of what broke off the nose of it out?!?

 

Crazy, never seen that happen. Looks like something internal jammed in your starter.

 

Yeah, at first the ticking had me concerned. I know our VQ's have their oil problems and my previous engine went out due to a spun con rod bearing. Upon the second start and hearing only the start spinning I figured it would be either the starter or something seriously wrong with the flywheel (chipped tooth or something).

No loud sounds, I started the car just like normal then I heard what sounded like a heat shield rattling. I think I always had this sound for maybe 0.2 seconds after start up and thought it was just stuff jingling when the engine comes to life. Except this time the noise continued till I turned the engine off.

My best guess is that the solenoid did not retract and left the starter gear spinning on the flywheel. Too much speed for the starter motor so the gear is spun off the shaft and then knocked about.

Nope

But it is just soft aluminium and would simply be chewed up by the hardened steel flywheel or starter gears. It might rattle about, I'll have to see.

When I replaced my engine there was a piece chipped off the starter already that I found in the bellhousing but I never heard a sound from it while it sat there. I figure it is definitely not worth taking the engine out or dropping the box to pluck out those pieces because if they do cause trouble, I'll have to pull the engine/box anyway. Really really doubt they will do anything though. Also I tried to get my finger on any bits through the inspection cover at the bottom of the bell housing but can't feel anything.

 

You should be able to extract some metal pieces if you use a magnet in the hole where the starter goes in. One of those extendable magnet pens that you use when drop bolts in to the bay would do the trick.

 

First teaser shots......they finally arrived!! At first glance they look amazing. This gen has the abs sensor holders integrated now. Lots of other stuff in the box including what looked like new rubber spring mounts and a signed CofA with the Swift spring rates noted, etc. Impressive presentation. Hope they handle as well as they look! More later.

 

But the bits are aluminium

 

Finally finished these up

 

The whole family...

 

Notice something different?

 

Then scratch my last comment. Figured it would be steel, but it has been a long time since I've changed a starter.

 

Why the bent plate

That's a nice set of coilovers, must be satisfying getting these new parts in.
What are those long thin rods for?

 

those are the extended adjusters.