12 replies to this topic

[blacktulip]

Hi everyone. Tonight I was doing my tappet clearances on the 998 cooper, whilst turning the front wheel in 4rth I heard a funny noise like the dizzy drive was catching. So I pin pointed it down to the starter motor and removed it. It must have been caught on the fly somehow. Has anyone had this before and is it a new starter needed?

[Earwax]

If your crank and flywheel are well used the flywheel can creep up the taper a bit, making it closer to the starter ring gear. If just catching  you can just used hard washers to space the starter further back, or get a circular plate made to do the same thing. Measure the distance from the straight edge of the transfer housing to the front edge of the flywheel ring gear,  that is the distance you want as the throw (if inertia type starter)

[DeadSquare]

Dust that wears off the clutch plate doesn't help smooth operation, so make sure that the Bendix is clean, lubricated with graphite, and retracts fully.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

But if you space an inertia starter away from the casing it will move in pinion closer to the ring gear.  I'd say it's more likely the pinion not returning fully on the bendix.

[Ethel]

Might not be anything to worry about. The bendix disengaging under just the starter's efforts will be different to the engine spitting it out when it starts.

[Itsaminithing]

Have you counted your teeth?.... no, the ones on the starter motor & the flywheel.

There's always the possibility that somebody has fitted a Metro ring gear or a Metro 10 tooth starter motor.

[DeadSquare]

Have you counted your teeth?.... no, the ones on the starter motor & the flywheel.

There's always the possibility that somebody has fitted a Metro ring gear or a Metro 10 tooth starter motor.

Keep counting the teeth on the ring gear, until you get the correct number, Lol

 

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Mine came with a 10 tooth starter pinion but it worked alright.  Has a 9 tooth one now.

[blacktulip]

Looks like the bendix hadn't returned properly. It is free to move but it feels a bit clogged up on the spiral and shaft. What is suitable to clean it? Is brake cleaner any good for this?

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Brake cleaner should do the trick.  It's often called brake and clutch cleaner and it's clutch dust you're removing.

[blacktulip]

Cheers. It moves lovely now!

[andyapanel]

I used to use degreaser to clean them when they seized on Allegros, which was one of many common problems the model had

Using any grease at all was not recommended; apparently, it collects dirt and makes the problem occur more frequently.

Carry a lump hammer to encourage it if it lets you down when you are away from your tools

Good luck

[blacktulip]

All sorted now. I think another reason not to use a grease was so it can't fly off while spinning which could contaminate the clutch plate.