anyone changed a starter motor???

[neastev]

Hello all

Starter has been sounding a bit lazy and been a bit intermittent over the last week or so. Yesterday, car wouldnt turn over so need to get it out and replaced. Anyone know if its a nightmare before I scrape the rust off the toolbox...........

Just read through previous posts and "holy <beep>" it says engine out has anyone ever done the starter in place??? Hope its possible.......

[Daveperc]

You sure it's not the battery??

Dave

[neastev]

Hey Dave

Yeah, tried jump leads with another car, no joy...... It had been running fine 20mins before, got backin and "click". It has been intermittent until now...............................

[Shoppinit]

It's a bugger of a job. In theory it's an engine out job, but I seem to remember that grizz had a way of changing it in-situ.

[hahnmgh63]

I just re-installed my engine/tranny after some work and can say that it can be done with the engine in the car although I think you will need to drop the whole package with the subframe down a few inches to get at it, plus other items to be removed like the oil filter, cooler lines, etc.. One of the starter bolts needs to be accessed from the tranny / Bell housing side which will be the tough one to do (hence, part of the reason for the subframe package drop).

[neastev]

Thanks for that,

I changed the cam belt, water pump, tensioners, roller etc at the weekend but not put the carrier back on yet as I had to look at the starter. Have the intercooler pipes off and oil filter is out the way but there is no access to the bolt from the Trans side..... Will look at the subframe next...... hopefully that will give me the space so I can get the car back on the road soon.....

thanks again for the info, as I now have some hope that it can be done as I dont want to pull the engine... maybe get some sleep tonite

[Maximo]

Having just changed my battery, I would get that checked first before heading down the starter motor replacement route. Although you've said that you tried a jump start and that didn't work, remember these cars need alot of power to turn over. Had it in the past where the car wouldn't start and a jump start didn't work, replaced the battery and hey presto all running fine again.

[js]

If you decide you do need to change the starter, and do not yet have one then I have a spare used one if you like, which was sold as working perfectly to me.

£40 + postage.

[neastev]

Swapped the battery already and it is definately the starter, its locked or siezed. When it failed, it started to turn the engine then something "cracked" and then "click" everytime. Eventually got to the starter and can see the housing is cracked where the bendix gear is......... Starter has sounded like an old school Mini since I got the car so I think the bearings have cratered....

Going to tackle the subframe tonight so fun and games...

JS- sent you a PM regarding starter, cheers

thanks gents

[Shoppinit]

Have you checked your cambelt?

Edit: never mind, didn't read your post properly

[chunky79]

hope the starter ring is ok if it has been bad for that long

[neastev]

well im happy to report that it is possible to change the starter with the engine still in the car, although it is a total effin nightmare....................

Finally got the engine started yesterday and all is well after the cambelt. Finished buttoning up bumper etc today and took the car for a run...... what a difference the cam belt change has made, much better response smoother running. Well pleased

[Mr V10]

Really? A cambelt change made that much difference? Wish mine did !

[Shoppinit]

If it made a difference it would mean that it wasn't done correctly last time. Some people change the belt without the proper tools. You can't install the new belt properly using tipex.

[Shoppinit]

Good news about the starter motor. What did you have to do to access it?