Getting At The Starter Motor - Help Please!

[Frequentflyer 0]

Hello all you technically competent 205 GTI people,

 

A little bit of history, so that anyone who reads this request for help, maybe better understands both my problem and the advice that I need. ...... NB - I am totally non-technical!

 

The subject is a 1.9 CTi with automatic transmission and aircon. The aircon is only of relevance because it probably makes one route to the starter motor - i.e., taking off the radiator - more difficult (at least for me).

 

The starter motor has been totally non-functional for several weeks despite help from one Forum member, who very kindly dropped in and fixed me up with a lead from it direct to the positive side of the battery.

 

When I turn the ignition switch I usually just get a whirring sound. On occasion - after I have inserted a bit of wood, through the tangle of pipes/tubes etc above it, and given it (the starter motor) a sharp tap - I will get a momentary sound like it is trying to engage, but then just whirring. This is all despite battery re-charges, jump leads etc.

 

So it looks like I will have to get at the offending item directly, and that is where my problems lie/my questions arise. I repeat - I am totally non-technical.

 

It looks like the easiest route to get at the starter motor, and its electrical connections, is to take off the manifold ..... if there is another easier way could somebody please advise - how and what.

 

Back to the manifold - I am told that if I take this off, I will need a new head gasket .... but is there anything else I am likely to need, and does anyone know if there is a written guide to taking off the manifold anywhere?

 

In the removal/reinstallation process are there any points I should look out for?

 

Any good advice would be most welcome - especially detailed advice. Obviously any physical help from any 205 experts around the Thames Valley, would be even more welcome.

 

Cheers

 

Roy

[d-9 0]

You dont need a new head gasket if you take the inlet manifold off, you need a new inlet manifold gasket, which goes between the inlet manifold and the head.

 

Getting the inlet manifold off is very easy, there are about 8 allen bolts, which you will need a allen bit in a socket, an extension and a ratchet to undo easily. Drain the cooling system first thou because there are waterways into the inlet mani so it will piss water out after you take it off.

 

Personaly if i was changing a starter on an 8v I would just remove the throttle body, Its about 4 bolts onto the side of the inlet mani and gives you enough access to do the starter fairly easily.

[johno_78 2]

i've done this with a 1.9gti auto with aircon. removing the inlet manifold is easy in theory, but it turned out to be a bitch of a job as there is so little space.

 

i wish i had thought of taking the throttle body off, as it sounds the easiest route.

[rooster 0]

check which starter you have if its the big fat one, replace it with the smaller more powerfull starter from a diesel i think as its easier to fit as its smaller.

 

mine had the big fat starter which i had to change 3 times as they all were naff even the new ones i had a small thinner starter from another engine so i fitted that and its great, its a bigger amp starter,i cant remember the name tho do a search its on here somewhere, i thinks as above its a diesel engine starter.