Why is my starter weak/non existent after I stop & resta

Post by **sonic23** » 23 Jan 2006, 17:19

Hi there,
I took the van out for a drive at the weekend (2L air cooled) - only went 20 miles, but enough to get it up to a good operating temp. When I stopped in a car park, I decided to move to a better space and tried to turn the engine over. The starter was Very slow - but it did work

On a longer run last October (2.5 hours)- it didn't turn over at all after I stopped at a petrol station. I left it 5 mins, and then it started strongly without a problem. This has happened quite frequently on long trips.

In all scenarios when the starter won't fire, if you leave it 5-10mins it starts with no problems at all!!!????!!??

I've had this problem before but it seemed to go away when I changed the battery - but that was only 18 months ago and it seems to have come back.

1. I have replaced the starter (thanks AndyVan)
2. The battery is only 18 months old and I had charged it fully before I went out for the drive. (after removing a thick white crust from the +ve term)
3. The HT leads and plugs are all new. So is rotor arm and dizzy cap.
4. The battery is under the R&R bed - so the +ve and -ve wires have a very small run to the starter.

Anyone with any advice on this mystery would be most appreciated as quite frankly, it's doing my head in!

cheers,
Rich

Post by **Mocki** » 23 Jan 2006, 17:36

sounds like the bush at the end of the startermotor, in the bellhousing.
about 75p each, irrc

Or your timing is too far advanced.....

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 23 Jan 2006, 17:39

Maybe the starter bush needs replacing. I haven't done this on a T25 if any one could do a writeup we WIKI it.

Post by **Mocki** » 24 Jan 2006, 00:44

Hacksawbob wrote:Maybe the starter bush needs replacing. I haven't done this on a T25 if any one could do a writeup we WIKI it.

i just said that

mocki wrote:sounds like the bush at the end of the startermotor, in the bellhousing.
about 75p each, irrc

Or your timing is too far advanced.....

Post by **Louey** » 24 Jan 2006, 10:42

it might be the starter bush!!

Post by **sonic23** » 24 Jan 2006, 10:46

Why would the starter bush cause this problem?

I guess it must be similar to replacing the bush when you do a 6v to 12v beetle flywheel conversion? I.e. get the engine out a use some sort of drift
to displace the bush?

Post by **Mocki** » 24 Jan 2006, 10:59

because when the bush is worn it drags on the starter spindle, and when its hot it expands and drags more, so when it cools it lets go abit.....
but its more likely to be your timing..........alter it and see...

Post by **sonic23** » 24 Jan 2006, 11:08

Thanks Mocki.
Sorry to sound dumb - I have never adjusted my timing - always left it to the local VW garage.

I've also noticed on the temp gauge that it's been running at about 125-130C when cruising at 65mph. (Tin ware is all Ok) - seems a little hot to me - so maybe timing is out?

If I follow the haynes manual and get a strobe light - should it be a straight forward process on a 2L A/C? I've had a look at the Wiki and can't find any 2L A/C timing specifics.

cheers,
Rich

Post by **Mocki** » 24 Jan 2006, 11:11

yep, the haynes manwell will tell you what you need to know, but remember the settings in there are for a perfect engine, not a 20 year plus old one, so a little fine adjustment "by ear" my be called for, imho

Post by **sonic23** » 24 Jan 2006, 11:13

thanks - it's a recon (Remtec) with about 1000 miles on it, so hopefully it'll be quite close.