205 Gti-6 Hard To Start When Hot?

[fatony1 17]

Almost got my 205 '6 on the road (re-test tomorrow) but i've got a few little niggles im trying to sort out, the worst one being starting the car from hot.

 

At the same time i fitted the engine i also moved the battery to the boot. I have a bolt/thread welded to the boot floor as my earth then the proper gauge cable running under the carpet to the shunt box in the engine bay. I then have another wire (of same gauge) running from the shunt box to the starter, then on from the starter to the alternator. Can someone confirm this is the right way to do it? The battery is also brand new by the way.

 

Starting from cold is fine, it fires up after a second or two and runs like a dream. If however i let the engine get up to temp then turn it off for a few minutes, when trying to start it again it just wont have it! It turns over like the battery is dead, and if im really unlucky after a few turns it dies and i just get the 'click' of the starter. Sometimes however, if i keep cranking it, the starter motor slowly picks up speed and starts the car?

 

Anyone got any ideas? Is something broken/on its way out?

 

Thanks in advance!

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Hot starting problems aren't uncommon.

 

It sounds like you've installed it all correctly as it works, only struggling when hot.

 

This is often caused by too smaller gauge cables being used and/or heatsoak into the starter and solenoid. How new is the starter?

 

Your front to rear cable should be something like 4 gauge (about 25mm^2), and I always use that between starter and alternator too, and also for earthing the gearbox to the chassis. On the earth, thicker is better for sure.

 

But 8 gauge should be fine too but only on the shorter runs; much like the ones you buy in motor factors.

 

Shunt boxes can corrode, and this may be introducing a voltage drop. If I had enough cable, I'd be tempted to take the main cable direct to the starter and then feed the shunt box off that, rather than have the main cable route through the shunt box (if that makes sense).

 

I'd check cables and grounding, and then consider a starter swap.

[fatony1 17]

The starter is the original one from the 8V engine, looking at another post in this forum with the same issues it seems like the starter might be at fault. For what engine should i be buying a starter for? Original 1.9 or the GTI-6 one?

 

Also just a side thought, i have the gearbox earthed onto one of the bolts that hold the original battery tray in, is this ok?

 

Thanks

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

XU10 source* or even diesel.

 

(*GTI6, S16, XSi - basically 2.0L iron block.)

[CosKev 16]

The starter is the original one from the 8V engine, looking at another post in this forum with the same issues it seems like the starter might be at fault. For what engine should i be buying a starter for? Original 1.9 or the GTI-6 one?

 

Also just a side thought, i have the gearbox earthed onto one of the bolts that hold the original battery tray in, is this ok?

 

Thanks

 

You can put as many earths on as you want,if your doubting the one you fitted

 

I picked up 306 HDI starter for mine from scrappy for £10,spins it over well

[fatony1 17]

Just to let everyone know, a new Valeo 'slim' starter motor cured this fault