Another starter problem

speyers · Unread post by **speyers** » February 28th, 2015, 5:49 pm

Been looking to purchase a MUTT , have looked at two now that have the same problem, I think. Is this normal?

When trying to start the engine, it will crank the engine a couple of times and then it sounds like the bendix disengages and all i hear is the starter whiring (turning at high speed like it would testing on the bench out of the vehicle) but the engine is not cranking over.

Seems like it disengases after just 2-3 seconds even though the engine has not started. Was looking at one today and it took 10-15 attempts just to get it started. Same thing happened with another MUTT that i looked at a month ago! Do I just have bad luck or is this normal? If not, what is the fix, new bendix drive or broken teeth on starter ring gear. Thanks for the insight.

Unread post by **rickf** » February 28th, 2015, 10:17 pm

Are you sure the engine is not firing when trying to start and kicking the starter out? Do not see too many issue with these starters.

speyers · Unread post by **speyers** » March 1st, 2015, 4:34 pm

Well it happened on both vehicles, A2's. Crank for 1-2 seconds and then the motor stops turning over but the starter motor comtinues to run. No grinding noises, just sounds like a starter motor running without any load on it.

Rick, how would the engine firing or not firing make any differance with the starter engaging or not engaging the flywheel ring gear? That is why i asked about the bendix, that is the connection between the starter and engine, broken geeth on the rimg gear would cause this right?

Want to know if this is a big deal and should keep looking or if this is not a red light for moving forward on purchasing either of these A2's.

csmith · Unread post by **csmith** » March 1st, 2015, 9:29 pm

I have had it happen to me a couple times over the years, I will get a short turnover then starter spins like you said, its disengaged from the engine. But in my case I just try again and it always turns over and starts as normal, never recall it repeating itself, quite random. I figured the Bendix is sticking or popping back for some reason. Not happening enough to be a concern. I had similar thing happen to my first Willis Jeep, took the starter off and cleaned everything up, re-lubed it all, put it back together and never had the issue again. But to answer your question as Rick said our starters normally work as required, think you just hit the jackpot twice

Fil Bonica · Unread post by **Fil Bonica** » March 1st, 2015, 11:14 pm

Dont let the starter problems affect your final decision.
The overall condition of the body , running gear are more important to your decision than a flaky starter.
Just another opinion.

Fil Bonica

lablover · Unread post by **lablover** » March 1st, 2015, 11:45 pm

Years ago when I first got my 1964 Kaiser the starter would make an awful noise. A older friend who actually landed in Normandy on D day told me the the bushing was wearing out In the flywheel He stated at some point in time the bushing or the flywheel would need to be replaced. 12 years and two starters later he was right. The bushing had wobbled out so bad the starter would not engage. As a side note he was captured 3 days after D day and spent the remainder of the war in a POW camp

lablover · Unread post by **lablover** » March 1st, 2015, 11:48 pm

Sorry It was the bushing in the bell housing

Fil Bonica · Unread post by **Fil Bonica** » March 2nd, 2015, 11:06 am

Just looked at an engine in my garage and replacing that bshing is a Bear!
Probably means removing engine , transmission and bell housing to get at that bushing.
That problem wouldnt stop me from buying it.just make an adjustment in price.

Fil Bonica

speyers · Unread post by **speyers** » March 5th, 2015, 10:39 pm

To bad the seller does not see it that way...

Can you explain the bell house bushing issue? Pictures would be a great help. Are you saying that the front of the starter drive shaft is supported by a bushing and that that bushing wears out resulting in misalignment with the stater ring gear? Or are you taking about bushing/bearings of the starter motor itself?

lablover · Unread post by **lablover** » March 6th, 2015, 12:13 am

The end of the starter is supported by a brass bushing in the bell housing. Fil may be able to post a picture. Good luck.

Fil Bonica · Unread post by **Fil Bonica** » March 6th, 2015, 10:15 am

Sorry guys I cant.
What i saw was from the outside of the engine.
The bell housing is secured to the blockk. There is a bump on the block that contains a hole with a bushing.
It is only visible with the bell housing removed.
The engine I have is fully assembled.
Going to look at a parts book to see if that helps.

Fil Bonica

Fil Bonica · Unread post by **Fil Bonica** » March 6th, 2015, 10:31 am

Just went out removed the starter.
If you look in you will see a hole with a bushing in the block.
If it is elongated then you have an explanation.
At that point I wouldalso insect the flywheel.

FilBonica

Mr. Recovery · Unread post by **Mr. Recovery** » March 6th, 2015, 11:01 am

Perhaps this will help.

Just so you know, the starter mounts backwards from most cars, it sits over the transmission, you get to it from the trans, cover.

Unread post by **rickf** » March 6th, 2015, 1:02 pm

A trick I used for VW pilot bushings would probably work here also. Find a steel rod the same diameter as the starter shaft or a couple thousandths smaller, Pack the bushing hole with grease and put the rod in the hole against the grease and give it a good hit with a hammer. The hydraulic action against the grease will push against the back edge of the bushing pushing the bushing out. You might want to stuff a rag in there over top of the clutch so grease does not get on it.

Mr. Recovery · Unread post by **Mr. Recovery** » March 6th, 2015, 4:00 pm

I went to my storage unit today and took a few photos of a bell housing I have there, the hole for the bushing on this early bell is open so it would be easy to replace if off the motor.

This is the motor with the transmission and starter mounted.

This is a bell off the motor.

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