Club 80-90 Forums

I've just bought a new starter motor for my bus (the AA guy said it needed replacing) when starting the engine, it seems the starter is not disengaging, so I get a horrible whining noise when it fires up, anyway, now that I have a new starter, I'm worried that the problem is worn ring gear instead, therefore if I put on the new starter, the ring gear will damage it, so, is changing the ring gear a big job ?? ie engine or gearbox out ?? As I'm using this as my works van, I really need to get it sorted ASAP

PS I just started the van, it did the whiny thing, so I stopped it and tried it again, now it's running fine, which makes me think it's ring gear.

Unlikely to be the ring gear more likely the starter motor pinion is sticking could just be it has been over greased and needs to settle down.

You should be able to examine all the teeth on the ring gear through the timing light inspection hole if not, by removing the starter and manually turning over the engine bit by bit.

If this were a manual I would also be suggesting that the support bearing for the starter (the oilite bush) is changed as they wear oval making pinion engagement insecure....but I don't know if auto's are the same?

Has the starter motor a 'Support cone' where the end of the starter is supported but the body of the starter? like on Diesel starters......or has it got an unsupported armature shaft?

Martin

bigherb wrote:Unlikely to be the ring gear more likely the starter motor pinion is sticking could just be it has been over greased and needs to settle down.

I had a recon engine put in several years ago, and I can remember the mechanic saying the teeth were quite worn, the starter motor was also a recon unit, and was put on just before I had the engine replaced.

California Dreamin wrote:Has the starter motor a 'Support cone' where the end of the starter is supported but the body of the starter? like on Diesel starters......or has it got an unsupported armature shaft?

Martin

An automatic startermotor ..

Ian Hulley wrote:

California Dreamin wrote:Has the starter motor a 'Support cone' where the end of the starter is supported but the body of the starter? like on Diesel starters......or has it got an unsupported armature shaft?

Martin

An automatic startermotor ..

Yep, that's the one, it's a Hella which I got from VW Heritage

Ahhh yes! it all looks familiar now you've posted a picture...

Martin

ring gear on an auto is welded to the torque converter

on a manual there are 2 types , either cast into the flywheel or seperate, fitted by heating the ringgear to expand it.

cant confirm but the aut one may just be a manual one welded on.

you can also use a later golf or similar diesel starter quite happily if you elong gate one of the holes- cheaper/ easyier to source. and i have done it a few times