starter motor

[sudburypaul]

The starter motor on my series 2 is starting to play up a bit. Sometimes the motor spins but does not turn the engine. A quick switch into a gear and rock of the car is often enough to re-engage it, but very occasionally a tap with one of my trusty whackommeters is required to unstick it. I don't mind an occasional turn of the starting handle to get it going, but my daughter suspects it may not so cool if having to do this in the 6th form car park in front of KA and Corsa kids ever becomes neccessary (But then she knows how to replace a head gasket and re-sit valves in the head, which most of them don't, poor things...) As it spins well, I don't think it needs a full recondition, but obviously needs some lubrication of a sort. What is the best way to do this?


Paul

[bmcecosse]

The bendix may need cleaning - but it is NEVER to be lubricated. Remove the starter and wash the bendix drive with petrol - twist the gear back and forth as you do so until it is spotlessly clean. The gear should then freely slide up and down the shaft. Inspect it carefully for any evidence of cracking on the sleeve - if present - it needs a new bendix I'm afraid. It goes back on completely dry - NO lubrication, which would only attract dirt and cause the drive to seize.

[Declan_Burns]

Or fit a new one. ESM sell them outright for £51.50. Last month they were only ~£43. Then repair the old one at your leisure.

[bmcecosse]

It probably just needs cleaning......don't waste money on a new one unless you really need to. In any case - you can get a perfectly good secondhand one for very much less.

[sudburypaul]

Well I have to take it off whichever, so will check for repair before spending dosh. Hopefully just the bendix needs a clean-up as it spins well.

Thanks, Paul