John Meeks wrote:
>
> Laurence, It is a deep scraping/sliding sound, not
sounding like starter
> gears trying to engage the flywheel. Very short duration.
Anyone??

Hi John,

My guess is that your clutch release bearing is worn - and
possibly on the point of failure.  Unfortunately the engine
needs to be removed to check whether this guess is correct.

The rattle would start at the point the clutch disengaged
and stop at the point the clutch is fully re-engaged.  If
you depress the clutch pedal and wait, the noise should die
away in a few seconds.

Clutch release bearings may last hundreds or even thousands
of miles in this condition but they could fail at any time.
Failure carries a risk of damaging the clutch release
mechanism and possibly the gearbox input shaft/clutch
assembly.

If you do decide to remove the engine, it is a good idea to
replace the clutch assembly, release bearing and gearbox
input shaft oil seal as a matter of routine.

Just my $0.02.

Tony