Starter Motor Replacement

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

Starter motor is gubbed and I need to replace it for another unit.

 

Looking at the Haynes manual it appears that this is the procedure for replacing a starter motor.

 

1. Disconnect battery

2. Remove air box

3. Drain cooling system

4. Disconnect coolant hoses from the manifold

5. Unbolt the manifold from the cylinder head

6. Disconnect the wiring from the solenoid

7. Unscrew the bolts securing the brush end bracket to the engine

8. Unscrew the mounting bolts at the flywheel end

9. Withdraw starter from the engine

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I need to know before I start as I've never done this before?

 

Also do the coolant hoses definitely have to be removed from the manifold and the system drained or can it be moved to one side to make room?

 

Cheers,

 

Gav

[u47sb2 27 2 Cars]

I've changed the starter motor without removing the inlet manifold. Bit of a bugger of a job but do-able if you can easily lie under the car.

[Matteo 17 1 Cars]

Yes, it is possible to replace the starter without removing the inlet manifold and without draining the cooling system, just tilt a little the radiator from the top.

[welshpug 1,657]

No need to do that even, just pop the lower end of the oil filler off to give more space, you still need to move the afm but not the airbox.

 

Worth checking the starter wire if you havent done yet.

[S@m 156]

As above, removing the inlet and draining the cooling system is not required. If its an old style BIG starter its a bastard to fiddle it out of there though......but doable.

 

Sam

[Anthony 1,003]

Generally, on an 8v once you've removed the AFM and induction pipe, if you remove the throttle body and move the oil filler tower to the side, there's plenty of space to change the starter quickly and easily from the top. No need at all to remove the inlet or radiator, and doing so significantly increases the job time and increases the risk of additional complications.

 

(if you still have the coolant pipes running to the throttle body, just unbolt it from the inlet and move it to one side with the pipes still attached rather than removing it completely)

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

Sounds good. Cheers for the replies guys. I'll be getting on with it tomorrow hopefully, weather dependent.

 

Thanks,

 

Gav

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

Got it changed today. Waiting for battery to charge before I can test it. Pretty simple change though following the advice on here. More awkward than difficult.

 

Cheers again guys.

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

After charing the battery fully and popping it on the car the thing STILL WON'T START!!! It now makes a far better noise when turning the key than before, no grinding/scraping of the starter, but still doesn't burst into life and start. So far I've...

 

Replaced Spark Plugs.

Had Wiring checked over.

Cleaned distributer cap.

Replaced Starter motor.

Replaced old Battery with a new Bosch one.

New battery terminals.

Fuel pump checked.

Replacent fuel regulator.

 

Any ideas? I'm stuck.

 

Cheers,

 

Gav

[Anthony 1,003]

What does it do now? Engine turn over on the starter but no attempt to actually fire?

 

If so, have you checked the basics? Do you have a spark, is the fuel pump running, and is any fuel being injected?

[gavbrum 18 1 Cars]

I've managed to get it to fire and start. But it just farts a bit and I have to keep revving it to keep it going. If it drops below 1000 rpm it just splutters and cuts out. I've retraced my steps from fitting the new starter and found these wires loose but due to the number wires that are not connected on the gti ive no idea if they are meant to connected at all.

 

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/gavbrum/?action=view&current=5FEF3505-74D5-4709-B689-2661C8E5BB2F-19123-000014A23B4518A0.jpg

 

Any ideas if this is the culprit?