Help! (And apologies if this appears elsewhere, but I've searched for as many combinations of clank clang rattle starter & motor as I can think of)
When I turn the key, to start my 2003 V8, there is a metallic clang just as the engine starts. It shows no fault codes (on a Hawkeye) and actually starts & runs perfectly.
The noise is like a loose pulley or fan, contacting something else metallic, resulting in a kind of 'ching' sound.
If I had to guess, I'd say it was either the starter gear not quite engaging properly, or being 'kicked' back really hard when the engine fires.
I don't know specifics on RR's, but have had motorbikes where the 'ring' gear &/or spring on the starter fails & allows the 'dog' gear to stay in contact with the flywheel for too long & then get kicked back.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated - if my explanation sounds plausible, any thoughts on what the extent of any damage might be & how much might need to be moved/replaced to fix it?

Thanks in advance to all you gurus out there - I'm desperate to sort it because I want to trade up to a newer model FFRR... 2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Have you checked all the exhaust heat shields?. If they are loose it can cause this sound when start up, as when you are starting the engine it is the most unbalanced, there for moves quite a lot more.

Good point - I'll certainly have a poke around to see if its that (in the past, that's always been quite a 'tinny' sound, whereas the one I'm getting sounds more like 2 hammers being hit together...) 2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Could just be the common noise made by the Variable Valve Timing gear as it waits for the oil to get to it. They all do that Sir...

Thanks Simes, i can understand that possibility from cold, but would that still happen when the engine was warm? I got back from a 65 mile run yesterday (mway & town driving), switched off, then restarted the car about 5 seconds later & it was exactly the same...  2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Mine only does it if it's been standing for a couple of days - but others I've heard do it every time.

is the noise like this?

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No Stan, that ones not too bad in comparison - this is a quick one I took of it last night - you'll hear it about 2-3 seconds in, but I'll try to get a better one later today
http://youtu.be/DQvVk-C86LM 2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Some people just need a high-five.
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Just sounds like the starter disengaging. Wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks Simes, I think that's what it might be, but that video is the quietest one it's done - its usually a lot louder than that - I'll see if I can get a better clip... 2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Some people just need a high-five.
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Sounds like the bendix of the starter is sticking

I agree, it definitely sounds like the starter to me, are they a pain to do in the tdv8?

It could carry on working like that for years yet.

Just to update, for anyone with a similar problem, had it diagnosed & inspected - starter was excessively worn & getting 'bounced' back into the ring gear on startup - new starter motor (£360 fitted) has cured it. 2003 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 + LPG
2005 Aprilia RSV Mille
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Some people just need a high-five.
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Result

Thanks for posting the cure