2 replies to this topic

[surfblue]

Fired up the old Mk1 tonight after its winter hibernation! (It was decidedly reluctant to start and needed the assistance of another battery and jump leads.)

I noticed when cranking it the starter motor seemed to not engage all the time, sort of hard to describe but it spins over then appears to disengage.( with a huh huh huh huh huh huuuuuuuuuuuuuh sort of noise  ) Is this a symptom of a failing starter motor, or worn starter ring gear on the flywheel, or something else entirely?

Thanks

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Mine sometimes fires on one cylinder, speeds the engine up briefly, dis-engages the pinion from the flywheel but engine doesn't start.  Just a foible of inertia type starter motors.  Hopefully it's just this. 

[Retroman]

Difficult to diagnose remotely but if you take the starter off and clean the the whole pinion end, make sure even the spiral bit is clean and dry (I use Worth brake cleaner)

  You might find 2 drops of oil on the shaft where it comes out of the body helps too...hold it pinion end up, spin it L & R to work it in and wipe any excess off. You can also do the same at the brush end, but literally just use one drop of oil.

  You might find it helps...they tend to get a bit slow and made up with clutch dust etc, And the drop of oil quietens and lubes the bushes tend to get dry.

  While you are at it wipe the inside of the flywheel housing clean too...what you can reach.