whoover

The S65 starter spins the engine at what sounds like a much higher speed than any other car that I've owned. It is so fast that it sounds like the engine has no compression. The whole engine makes a turbine-like whine before it starts.

Does anyone know if valve timing is altered when starting in order to get the RPMs up prior to ignition? Or is the starter just massive and geared differently? Is this common to the V-12s?

MBTech21

The V12s use a gear reduction starter, that is the noise.Normal on any car with that type of starter

sosh

Had a similar noise on start with a V12 Ferrari that I once owned. Tend to believe its normal. Lots of stuff spinning in there plus a hefty geared starter.

whoover

Thanks. It sounds quite different than Chrysler gear reduction starters that I'm used to, but it must be geared to spin faster.

lkchris

Referring to the "Highland Park Hummingbird?"

Always loved that name for Chrysler starters.