Starter motor sounds slow to disengage

[2011dandd]

Yesterday I changed the fuel filter on the 240. What an absolute pain in the arse that was. Looked like the original that was still on there.

Any way consequently on re starting the car I might have let the starter run for to long to prime it all up again. I’m thinking this because the starter now seems slow to disengage, only for a fraction of a second once started, but it makes a wish sound like it’s running on momentarily. Hope that makes sense.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Can it be fixed with a clean and tiny bit of grease?

[Clifford Pope]

Mine did that the other day, out of the blue, I hadn't touched anything.
I was just wondering what to do about it, if anything, but it hasn't happened since. I'm just sort of assuming/hoping it's gone away.

[2011dandd]

I changed the air and fuel filter, had a look under the dizzy cap and that was it did not touch anything else or fit anything incorrectly. I’ll see how it goes. Might coincidentally be time for a new starter motor

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 2011dandd

I’m thinking this because the starter now seems slow to disengage, only for a fraction of a second once started, but it makes a wish sound like it’s running on momentarily. Hope that makes sense.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Can it be fixed with a clean and tiny bit of grease?

Originally Posted by 2011dandd

I changed the air and fuel filter, had a look under the dizzy cap and that was it did not touch anything else or fit anything incorrectly. I’ll see how it goes. Might coincidentally be time for a new starter motor

It sounds as if the solenoid plunger and/or the splines where the starter pinon slides in and out of engagement with the flywheel are dirty.

The "whoosh" sound is that of the unidirectional clutch in the starter pinion operating because the engine is turning it faster than the motor can.

Two options, first remove the starter and take it to your local autoelectrician/parts factor and buy an exchange unit. With the autoelectrician you also have the option of getting them to test, strip, diagnose and report before deciding but you will pay for this, usually about an hours labour. For this reason most will simply advise that you fit a recon unit.

Second option is to remove the starter and strip, clean and inspect it yourself. If you're not good with fiddly and especially unfamiliar fiddly, probably not a good option to choose.

Also some Bosch starters of the era yours is likely to be had an adjustable throw on the pinion, get this wrong and you could end up destroying the pinon and possibly the ring gear on the flywheel or chewing the end out of the starter nose.

If your starter does have this adjustment, you will have to reset it after stripping it down. Also if you're not familiar with what to look for, you may only give the starter a temporary reprieve.

My advice would be to source a reconditioned unit, these are usually sold on an exchange basis so make sure the place you're getting it from has one in stock before removing the starter so you can take your old unit in and not have to pay the exchange surcharge which you get back when you return your core unit.

Given that the pinion drive is one of the tougher and more expensive parts of the starter, if it is giving trouble then the chances are the brushes are worn, the commutator will need to be skimmed and undercut, the bushes renewed and reamed to the correct size and several other tasks not normally within the remit of the home mechanic.

[2011dandd]

Cheers Dave

Certainly sounds beyond me, I’m not into things of that fiddly nature.
Ok so my options are source a recon one, get mine repaired by a chap in Southampton that I have used before (mike at just alternators and starters), by a Second hand one in unknown condition or get a brand new cheaper quality unit of questionable quality.

Might see how long the old one holds out for

[Stephen Edwin]

Interesting post David. Very different from "yesterday" when one took the starter to the best local parts and repairs shop in a tough old bag, asked about buying a bendix and they aid sure and to save you buying the tool we'll fit it for you now. Couldn't drive there. The district nurse had my own starter temp. fitted in her jam jar so she could go on her rounds. Ah, the days when cars were made by Hornby, Meccanno ...

I do obviously like and appreciate pre-engaged starters of course.





.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 2011dandd

Cheers Dave

Certainly sounds beyond me, I’m not into things of that fiddly nature.
Ok so my options are source a recon one, get mine repaired by a chap in Southampton that I have used before (mike at just alternators and starters), by a Second hand one in unknown condition or get a brand new cheaper quality unit of questionable quality.

Might see how long the old one holds out for

Mike is pretty good, Hedge End/Botley if memory serves correctly? Also there used to be Lavers at Hedge End, hidden behind the Audi dealers (Peter Cooper) on the roundbaout but you had to use the service road to access them. Not sure if they're still there, i know the apprentice as he was when i was there now runs his own business from somewhere in the Portsmouth area as i've seen his adverts online.

If Mike can do you a simple repair then it'll get you out of trouble but i suspect he'll only confirm what i've stated above, if the pinon is giving trouble the chances are the rest of it needs overhaul/recodnitioning and it would be cheaper to buy a complete recon unit.

[2011dandd]

I had a tractor dynamo and starter motor repaired by mike, it was a blinking saga getting to Southampton from Northamptonshire for that poxy old banger tractor, delivered it the week before the first lockdown and only picked it back up a couple of months ago. Another project that has gone by the wayside.

I might look for a recon unit, have you got the Bosch starter part number by any chance?

Cheers

Dan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 2011dandd

I had a tractor dynamo and starter motor repaired by mike, it was a blinking saga getting to Southampton from Northamptonshire for that poxy old banger tractor, delivered it the week before the first lockdown and only picked it back up a couple of months ago. Another project that has gone by the wayside.

I might look for a recon unit, have you got the Bosch starter part number by any chance?

Cheers

Dan

I haven't, no - without trying to be funny, you're the best person to find the part number as it will be stamped on the body of the starter - should start "0 001" then two groups each of 3 digits afterwards. If you have a camera phone with flash, stretching down with it is an easy way to get the number.

[Clifford Pope]

Just to be clear - is this now a permanent fault, happening every time, or a one-off?