06 Z with 50k miles, 1 owner. aftermarket JWT clutch and flywheel installed 30k miles ago. for the past year, 1 out of 5 times starting, there creates a loud grinding sound emitting from around the starter/flywheel. when the noise occurs, i immediately stop turning the ignition and try again.. sometimes noise comes immediately again but most of the time the car then starts fine. i searched the forums where this topic is discussed but nobody mentioned a conclusion after fix. does the starter and JWT flywheel need replacement? trying to be as economical as possible so have been pushing off the fix for some time. maybe will keep pushing it off until car breaks down. does anyone know why the flywheel and/or starter would have become damaged? am assuming there is a damaged tooth on flywheel and 1 out of 5 times this damaged area happens to fall on the starter when starting the car. cold start and warm start could cause sound. Z has new battery. it's not a solenoid problem. a completely different sound. sounds like starter and flywheel metal grind. engine doesn't turn over when noise occurs. grinding noise is very loud.Thanks for the help

 

remove the starter and inspect

 

Good Call.. Thanks Adam. assuming when removing the starter will have a good inspection of the starter teeth but more importantly be able to also see the flywheel teeth? can the wheels be turned and the flywheel will rotated to be able to see all the flywheel teeth from starter opening?

 

^^^^

If you want to inspect all of the flywheel teeth after taking the starter out spin the crank with a socket. I can't remember the size off the top of my head, but yeah socket, turn the crank and just watch the flywheel. You'll be able to see all of the teeth. Inspect the starter for SURE though.

 

As above.
My $ is on ring gear. It explains the intermittent problems as the engine tends to come to rest at only a few set positions due to compression. If one of those positions gets a tooth worn or knocked out, you get what is currently happening to you.