Club 80-90 Forums

Having read several threads about sluggish starting it looks like my van is suffering from the classic symptoms that could be due to aged wiring, tired starter motor or worn bush (or probably all three). Having also viewed the threads about replacing the bush in the bell housing and taken a quick look at my engine bay I've come to the conclusion that replacing the starter and bush involves a high grovel factor. Now I also own a Triumph TR6 and a couple of years ago I replaced its failing starter motor with a new-fangled Japanese high-torque replacement. The benefits are:
1. More powerful so it turns the engine quicker,
2. More efficient so it uses 50% less power (less strain on old wiring and the battery),
3. They're lighter

Fitting one of these permanently engaged motors to the van would also get around the task of replacing the bush as it is not required. There's one on the AES website here http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... tegory/139" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has anyone used one of these?

Hi Torque Starter Motor to fit VW Transporter & Caravelle. Spigot diameter 76mm, bolt centres 105mm, gear diameter 25.5mm

Original Starter Weight 7.5kg, Powerlite Starter Weight 3.8kg, Power 1.4kW, 9 Teeth

hughzt wrote:
Original Starter Weight 7.5kg, Powerlite Starter Weight 3.8kg, Power 1.4kW, 9 Teeth[/b]

The original petrol starter only draws 0.8 KW, Diesels 1.7 KW and start the vans fine.

Ii think, if I needed a new starter, I would probably buy one of those

Shame they dont do one for the auto.

I have one on my van bought from usa as it saved me a fortune on English prices best thing I have fitted to my van , you also sometimes need an adapter for some applications but its only cheap

"Approximately twice as powerful and draws about half the amount as an original starter."

That's cheap for Kryptonite!

Sorry, I wasn't born within the last minute. P=VI, end of story.

bigherb wrote:

hughzt wrote:
Original Starter Weight 7.5kg, Powerlite Starter Weight 3.8kg, Power 1.4kW, 9 Teeth[/b]

The original petrol starter only draws 0.8 KW, Diesels 1.7 KW and start the vans fine.

Starter motors are quoted as output power, not input, so 1.4kw is probably about right for double the power of standard motors

icosahedron wrote:"Approximately twice as powerful and draws about half the amount as an original starter."

That's cheap for Kryptonite!

Sorry, I wasn't born within the last minute. P=VI, end of story.

Actually starter motors are designed to be cheap and cheerful and as they're only designed to run for a few seconds at a time in normal use, they don't have to be very efficient. Their efficiency can be as low as 25% depending upon the load, so doubling the efficiency may not be as far-fetched as you think. Also based on my experience with this type of motor in my other car, I can tell you these things really do perform much better than standard ones.

Hopefully I'll get one installed soon and I can let you know if it lives up to the manufacturer's claims.

I had to find a replacement starter for my diesel camper very quickly because mine failed and we were due to leave for our annual holiday that night. My local auto electricians sourced one for me and I was able topick it up later the ame day. It was a brand new starter with no exchange needed. They told me that it was a "modern" starter not like my old one. It's the same size and weight but it spins the engine so much faster than my old one. My van now sounds just like a normal car when I turn the key. It was only about £100 or so.

The manufacturer is a company called Wood Auto and the model number is STR50015 See their website here http://www.woodauto.com/Unit.aspx?Man=B ... 0001317017

Thanks for the info Neville, that looks like another good alternative for less money. I think I'll check out some of the obvious stuff first before I buy a replacement motor. I've only had the van a few weeks so I've yet to check everything out - e.g. The gearbox earth lead looks a bit corroded.

Nice website btw, I aim to be spending lots of time in the van in Cumbria if all goes to plan!

Thanks for that, the websites been neglected recently, it was a project that I started many years ago.

So, what was the result? Did you buy a more modern starter in the end? Just asking as I need a replacement, cheers Mitch.

I've not actually come across one for a T25. Even the one listed on AES site is actually for a T4 Transporter - not a T25. I'd be surprised if its even worth the production run but worth it if you can find one.

That saved me spending an age looking for one then,

These sound ok.Not cheap mind. http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Campervanculture are sole importers for gowesty.Will have to be having a word with them.