Replacing the Starter

[brettgilbert77]

Hi chaps,

Managed to gt back from Cornwall after some help from the chaps on the VoD forum.

The issues I had were:
Poor performance under load on the way there, so I took out the banjo to see if that was at fault.
I then couldn't start it. Turned out that the plug below the banjo, where it connects to the engine block had no seal underneath it and had come loose letting air into the pump.
Managed to bleed the air out by opening the injector unions and cranking until air then fuel came out. :thumb2
That got it stated and running nicely. Spent the afternoon in Mevagissey.
Next day, couldn't start it, slow cranking. :nenau I figured the battery must have died due to all the starting previously. I put it on to charge, but for speed decided to replace it with one from Halfrauds. They tried to sell me a smaller battery than my one, but I opted for a larger amperage one £109
Wired this up and nothing, same as before :doh
Eventually got towed around for a few miles bump starting until it ran on its own. :clap gave up with the weekend camping as it was raining and windy anyway and drove home without turning the engine off.

Looks like the starter is knackered, so need to replace it. If anyone knows where I can get a new on cheap feel free to say, but I was looking to get:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310873283720?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Need to know it's going to definitely fit my truck though. Any advice/help appreciated. Also, are these fairly easy to fit, bolt off old, bolt on new, or is this gonna be a nightmare?

 

[rustic]

... but I was looking to get:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310873283720?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

A bit about Premier factors at Aldridge, near Walsall, I have collected items from them, brake discs and pads for the Picasso, and I have found them to be very helpful.

They have a small office with internet and a few operators manning the phones and a huge warehouse behind with several people picking.

As for if it will fit, I don't know, but if you give them your reg No. and nothing else has changed around the engine, then I'm sure they will see you right.

 

[Paff]

I think IMHO I would go to a motor factor and buy the starter motor, but that's just me. If it goes wrong in the warranty period then the P&P to return could be expensive. Also seems cheap for a new unit, are you sure it's not a recon unit? Do they want your old unit?

 

[AlexD333]

Before you fork out for a starter motor like i nearly did, have you done obvious checks?

Seems strange that you has a poor running issue and immediately you now have a starter motor issue :nenau

Just a thought, the battery terminals and leads and earths all good? :thumb2

 

[panelbeater]

i have a post running,bloody car,
i to had fuel problem but mine turned out to be ip.
then my starter packed up totally yesterday and needed a tow to start it to get home as i was out with my trailer collecting my wvo round.
anyway i came across these people west lancs auto electrics 01772369889.
i have the same t2 a 98 tdi,they sent me a mail to late for me but they have a starter in stock at £116.00 delivered with 18 month warranty.
i went to local place i have used for many years and the best deal i could get cost me £145.00 and its coming tomorrow.
the delivered one want your old one back after you replace it at their collection cost.
all in all i feel a good deal.
hope this helps you.
not much room to change it though from top.

 

[brettgilbert77]

Before you fork out for a starter motor like i nearly did, have you done obvious checks?

Seems strange that you has a poor running issue and immediately you now have a starter motor issue :nenau

Just a thought, the battery terminals and leads and earths all good? :thumb2

I think the poor running and difficulty starting, caused by air in the fuel system put lots of stress on the starter.
The positive lead is pretty knackered at the battery terminal and will get replaced soon.
I did run a jump lead down from the positive terminal to the starter and one from the negative to the engine block to suppliment the earth strap. Didn't make any difference. Also there was quite a bit of whining from the starter.

So, is there a worksheet on changing the starter anywhere? I might be able to get the garage next door to do the work cash in hand, or use their ramp.
Can anyone confirm which model of starter motor I need for my model and year?

 

[panelbeater]

i must say that ip went on green t2 starter went on blue t2.
brett try the number i have posted.

 

[panelbeater]

brett cant find any in downloads but it goes like this.
disconnect the battery.
find the starter motor on left side from front on bell housing.
pull push on plug of off end and disconnect heavy wire on end,a nut and washer.
two bolts hold the starter on,one on the engine side and one on outside of starter slightly under it.
use the ratchet type ring spanner as room is tight.
remove both bolts.
carefully lift up starter and gently get it bye wiring,again tight.
replacing is in the reverse order.
the manual says to put some sealant on the flange that bolts to bell housing.
good luck.

 

[brettgilbert77]

brett cant find any in downloads but it goes like this.
disconnect the battery.
find the starter motor on left side from front on bell housing.
pull push on plug of off end and disconnect heavy wire on end,a nut and washer.
two bolts hold the starter on,one on the engine side and one on outside of starter slightly under it.
use the ratchet type ring spanner as room is tight.
remove both bolts.
carefully lift up starter and gently get it bye wiring,again tight.
replacing is in the reverse order.
the manual says to put some sealant on the flange that bolts to bell housing.
good luck.

Thanks,

Doesn't sound too hard to do, will probably have a crack myself. Luckily I have small hands so might manage to wiggle it out.
I don't have ring spanners with ratchets in, but think they could ell be a very useful addition given how tight everything seems to be in the Terrano. Looks like loads of room round the engine in the bay, until I actually try to do something, like changing the oil filter or the offside light bulbs.
I'll give the number you gave me a call tomorrow.
Gonna be back in the Fabia until I get back from Spain until I get this working.
Also now have a spare battery, think I'll re-read a few posts on wiring up a dual battery system, seems a shame to waste one.

 

[redthing]

Brett, when I changed the starter on my T2 [1998]. It's the same on my current T2 [2004] I found it easiest to get it out through the offside wheel arch. Jack her up, remove the wheel and then the weatherseal in the arch and the starter is right in front of you. still not easy to do but it WILL come out that way. Hope this helps

 

[frosty]

I bought a cheap starter motor off ebay for about £70 was ok for about 18 months then at 9.30 pm on Christmas day the sodding thing packed in, took it to our local auto electricians for testing and then they repaired it, when I went to pick it up he said that the inside gubbins? was very poor quality. I will never buy cheap electrical parts of ebay again!!

 

[brettgilbert77]

So, I have the new starter on order. One I get this one off I will see if I an repair/refurbish it myself and keep as a spare. Probably just needs replacement bushes.

I bought some of these to help get the old one off:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270581382035?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Trouble is I don't seem to be able to undo the top bolt. There just doesn;t seem to be room to fit the spanners. If I do manage to get it over the bolt head I don;t have room to turn it. I can get a socket on, but there's not enough room for a handle/extension, wobble joint. Is there a secret technique or tool I'm missing? I've got some ring spanners and open ended ones I an get on the bolt, but again don't have space to turn it.

 

[brettgilbert77]

Yeah! I've only gone and bloomin well dun it!

Had a friend come and give me some moral support, but got the new starter fitted. I'm still gonna replace the battery cable as it's quite perished, but reconnected everything and it started straight away. :clap

Now I just need to sort the fuel issue and I'm good

MoT in June though, hopefully my mechanic can pass it.

 

[Adz]

Off topic :augie

What is the fuel problem :nenau

 

[AlexD333]

Off topic :augie

What is the fuel problem :nenau

Air leak wuurndit? :nenau

 

[brettgilbert77]

Trying to narrow it down still.

It appears that the plunger on the top of the fuel filter is being pulled down, possibly due to a blockage somewhere between that and the fuel tank. This has been leading to hesitation at higher revs and under load. Could be a faulty filter head too I suppose.
I'm thinking there might be gunk in the tank clumping together and blocking the pickup. But the top of the tank's rotten so don't really want to touch it.
Have removed and checked Banjo bolt a few times and that's not the issue. although am keen to replace the bolt with one without the internal filter, or will try and drill out the offending gauze.

 

[rustic]

Trying to narrow it down still.

It appears that the plunger on the top of the fuel filter is being pulled down, possibly due to a blockage somewhere between that and the fuel tank. This has been leading to hesitation at higher revs and under load. Could be a faulty filter head too I suppose.
I'm thinking there might be gunk in the tank clumping together and blocking the pickup. But the top of the tank's rotten so don't really want to touch it.
Have removed and checked Banjo bolt a few times and that's not the issue. although am keen to replace the bolt with one without the internal filter, or will try and drill out the offending gauze.

Try releasing the filler cap, you might have created a vacuum.
There is a plastic device about the size of the old 35mm film canisters, attached to the top side of the tank, with approx 6 mm diameter pipe going to it, and this has a valve in, I think...

Rustic

 

[Fez_uk]

It's the fuel filter/primer. I had the same.

I changed to a clear filter and one of those bulb primers. Runs sweet on higher ratios of veg too.

 

[Adz]

Bin the filter & pump & use in line filter & hand pump like these

http://www.lrseries.com/resources/u...fc6/606168-V8-INLINE-FUEL-FILTER-ASSEMBLY.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/info125/hukih_zps27d8b82a.jpg

I've done it to all 3 of mine :thumbs

 

[kitchenman]

Banshee had the primer problem, was the vent in the filler cap AIR
Try running with the filler cap off for a while