5 replies to this topic

[jason_wen]

Hi All,

 

I'm wondering if anyone here has ever fitted the Powerlite RAC 468 starter in their MPI. I have a 2000 MPI and ordered one of these starters and was surprised to discover it's noticeably larger than the original Rover starter. It also doesn't seem to weigh any less. The real difficulties began when I tried to fit the Powerlite. As far as I can tell, it's not compatible at all within the space.

 

Once I finally managed to get it in, which was a hell of a lot more difficult than the stock unit, the back was still bumped and rubbed up well on the lower radiator mounting. Even after managing to bolt it on, it was still well wedged on the lower radiator mounting. I'm pretty doubtful the radiator would fit back in place because of the starter. To get it in, I also had to undo the crankshaft sensor, and, looking from below, there's really no way that it would be able to go back on, as the starter takes up the room for it.

 

Though it's widely advertised as fitting Mini's from 1985 to 2000, I'm completely perplexed and at a loss as to how this could be advertised for fitment in an MPI. Perhaps it fits well in an SPI and older?

 

I even tried turning the unit 180 and fitting it, to see if I was being an idiot, but there's no way it could go that way either, as the body hits the oil filter and it would smush all the starter plugs right up against the engine body. I didn't try to hook it up and start the car, as it was in no way safe to do so.

 

I re-installed the original starter and it still runs, though it has been degenerating, which was why I bought the new starter to begin with. I've seen the Powerlite being offered for sale for some time, so I'm totally confused as to what's going on here. Nothing's been changed with my engine bay layout. It's still a 1275 with stage 3 upgrades. At the moment, I completely feel like I've wasted a lot of time and money on this product and would like to know if there is anyone else that's had any experience with this starter who could tell me if there's something I've overlooked.

 

Thanks,

Jason

[Tupers]

It's more than like a case of Powerlite seeing that the same pre engaged start is used from '85-'00 but not knowing that more equipment was eventually crammed in around it. 

[jason_wen]

This certainly seems to be the case, but just wondering if there's something obvious I'm missing. On paper, it should work, but in practice, it doesn't. What doesn't make sense to me is how this could be sold for so long as a replacement part, esp by Mini specialists, and it hasn't been discovered yet. I can only guess it would fit in an SPI as the radiator is mounted on the side, though, not sure if clearance with the crankshaft sensor would still be an issue.

[Steve220]

Have you got a picture of it? They may have sent you one for a k series.

[jason_wen]

I will take a pic of the starter and post it tonight. I didn't take any pictures with it crammed in the car.

[jason_wen]

Here are some images of the Powerlite starter. It is marked RAC468. So, supposedly fits in an MPI. You can see all the scrapes on the label due it rubbing on the fixed lower mounting for the radiator. There was no way I could keep it from contacting the mounting. Even when bolted in, this was still firmly in contact with the radiator mounting. I had to order a new stock starter and will post images of the 2 units side by side, if I still have this Powerlite unit when it arrives, so you can see how the Powerlite is larger than the stock one. I'm going to try and call the seller and possibly Powerlite to get an answer about this issue. I just wanted to post here first to see if anyone else had any experience installing this starter in an MPI.