Club 80-90 Forums

Hi.

I've got two starting issues with my two vans. Niether will not start so have been working round it but eventually need to get them sorted. Botth are 2.1's.

Right first up.........

My syncro, motor always turns but sometimes does not engage. When it doesn't there is a whirling/grating sound, however if I roll forward in first 6'' & lift the clutch just enough to nudge the engine. Starter will definately engage & start engine.

Second...........

My auto caravelle. Will engage & start ever time but it just sounds louder, gratier than it should.

Thoughts please.

In the first one, your starter bendix isnt engaging properly with the flywheel. This could be down to sheared teeth on either the flywheel or starter, or it could be the bearing in the gearbox bellhousing for the starter which is allowing too much play in the starter drive to engage the flywheel properly. Either way, get your starter out and check the teeth and replace the bearing anyway. Not too tricky a job really to replace the bearing. Sheared teeth is a whole other ballgame though. Dew drive section for the starter and/or new flywheel gear ring.

In the second one, again possibly a dry or bunched bearing or your starter is full of black dust, which does happen. Take it out, strip, clean and grease it and replace the brushes. It will prevent problems further down the line and it can be done easily in half a day.

Sounds like you got two for starters .. as the say ...

Good luck .. you will be on your back a lot so don't forget to get a creeper - good ones for £20 in Machine Mart.


[img:500:500]http://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/lib ... 110038.jpg[/img]

VW Lewis

In my van I didnt need to get under the van at all to get out the motor.

it's a little known fact but engines tend to stop in almost the same place every time,, thats why the teeth on the flywheel tend to wear in the same place
good advice about the starter tho cos i bet it's something simple like worn bush and teeth on it.

Since I changed my autobox last month it's been very loud starting it up. You know, grating metal type sound. It's because - I think - that the torque convertor I used with my replacement box had very worn teeth on the starter ring thats welded to it. I couldn't use my old torque convertor that was visually in good condition because the internals went on the box itself which meant that all sorts of metal bits will be floating round the torque convertor and I didn't want these to get in the new box and wreck that as well. Maybe have a look at the ring gear through all the inspection / cooling holes and see if it's worn. Could be why it's loud and grating. Mines well hammered but needs must and all that.

If the bearings in the starters have gone then you may not get a perfect mesh on the flywheel or ring gear, which could give you the grawnching noise.