Every time I start my truck it makes a really loud scraping noise that sounds like either my flywheel or torque converter. After a few minutes it makes a clunk sound and then the noise stops. Any ideas??? I don't want to take it to the dealership if I don't have to cause they are gunna charge me out the *** to drop the tranny. BTW its a 2002 4.6L XLT FX4

 

From the description you have given, it sounds like your starter drive is hanging after start up. The will burn a starter motor up quick.
If it were mine I would put a new starter on it.
But I would (just for chit and giggles) use a volt meter, and check to make sure the selinoid isn't hanging after start up.

 

Where exactly is the starter drive located? And also sometimes when I try to start it it will act like it is in drive and wont start up like something is hanging up. But then after moving my shifter to drive and back to park it will start up... All this started happening after I took it sand dune riding and got sand and seashells up in the bell housing. I was able to drain it all out the first time but then I went out again and this happened

 

If you buy a new starter, it will come with the starter drive already in it. The starter drive(also called the Bendix) is the gear that flips out to the ring gear on the flex plate when you turn the key to the start position. While you have it off see if you can get a look at the ring gear for signs of excesive wear, because you have had shells and stuff like that in it. But it is probably just water damage to the starter.

 

Alright man thanks a ton. I'll let you know what I find and hopefully get it fixed up. Btw how much does a new starter cost?

 

depending on the brand you buy. Rockauto has them listed from $55 to $150

 

Alright thanks again

 

Ok so its definitely not the starter. I think one of the bolts that hold the fly wheel came loose. Luckily thats an easy fix. Not 100% sure yet but Hopefully I'll be tearing into it some more tomorrow.

 

Any updates?

 

Yea I got it fixed a while ago. It was a couple things. What was happening was the starter was getting stuck every once in a while and one of the fly wheel bolts came lose. But I got it all taken care of