On my mates vl when he first starts the car there is a clanking noise as if the starter motor hits the flywheel or something. it auto but the starter motor looks fine. could it me the dust cover plate?

Could be the starter solenoid sticking, so it doesn't retract fast enough when you release the key and it hits the teeth on the flywheel.

yea this noise happens to mine every now n then, my key barrels stuffed and the key turns to far and cant retract very well ( think springs gone ) thus leaving the starter motor engaged and making the noise, so just back the key off. Havent got round to ordering a newy off ozeparts yet....

I got the exact same problem.

i've got the same problem and wat i have been told is to lub. the starter motor or rebuild the starter motor...has any fixed their noise problem is so wat's the solution..