THE suspicious device found at a Lytton construction site has turned out to be a washing machine starter motor.

Earlier reports suggested the corroded bottle-shaped object was an unexploded device.

A military bomb squad crew rushed to inspect the object.

Fire and Rescue spokesman Justin Francis from Pennant Hill Fire Station said the device looked "legitimate".

"It's a corroded metal-shaped object that appears to have a wick at the end if it," he said.

"It does look legitimate. At this stage we're taking all precautions."

About 30 contractors were evacuated from the site about 9am this morning after they unearthed the device.

A fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed further investigations revealed the object was the starter motor from a washing machine.