8 replies to this topic

[Steve Tattersall]

Hi. I have a 998 1983 Mini Mayfair. It's been in long term storage prior to me buying it and I'm just trying to get it going. 

 

The starter turns and the engine is not seized. However the starter does not turn the engine over. From what I can see, it seems that the teeth of the starter do not mesh with the teeth of the flywheel. It looks like when I fit the starter, the teeth are to the left of the teeth of the flywheel (as you look from the front of the car). I've made a simple diagram of the issue.

 

Is this the wrong type of starter? I'll attach a pic of the starter too.

 

Many thanks,

 

Steve

Attached Files

•  Starter Issue Diagram.jpg   17.42K   0 downloads
•  Mini Starter Motor.jpg   81.56K   0 downloads

[nicklouse]

If your flywheel is pre Verto and has 107 teeth it is the correct inertia starter. Make sure the part with the teeth on slides freely. If it is stuck or sticky it can not engage with the teeth on the flywheel.

[Steve Tattersall]

Brilliant. Thanks for the reply. I'll count the teeth and check. 

As for the starter teeth, you're saying the teeth should slide on the shaft? As far as I can remember (I'll be able to check when I'm able to get in the garage again) they do not move. How far along the shaft should they slide?

Cheers and apologies for dumb questions.

Steve 

[imack]

From memory I don't think 1983 minis left the factory with inertia starters, I think they'd changed to pre engaged by then, but that's not to say an inertia starter isn't right for your setup.
Pictures show distance the bendix gear travels

Attached Files

•  20201220_160310_resized.jpg   42.83K   3 downloads
•  20201220_160306_resized.jpg   46.57K   1 downloads

[Steve Tattersall]

Great. That's my issue I think. I'll check and lube and see where I'm at.

Cheers guys, awesome stuff.

[Spider]

Great advice from Nick and Imack.

Also, just check the Pinion on the Starter has 9 teeth. Some are 10 which is for a different set up.

[croc7]

Great. That's my issue I think. I'll check and lube and see where I'm at.
Cheers guys, awesome stuff.

Go easy on the grease. I’d give the shaft a good clean with something like Brake Kleen, blow it dry with compressed air and use a dry lubricant if anything.

[humph]

I've just sorted mine, these two videos were really helpful.

 

First shows testing and how the bendix operates, as well as bendix change & how to resolve a sticking one. Warning his method of compressing the spring is lethal.

 

 

 

Be careful with the second video as there a different versions of this motor and access to the bushes is different on each I believe.  Thankfully I didn;t need to mess with them as my starter was good, just fitted with the wrong bendix.

Edited by humph, 21 December 2020 - 09:55 PM.

[Steve Tattersall]

Just to finish this off my issue was indeed that the starter gear was not moving along it's shaft and actually wasn't hard to release it once I understood how it worked. Once free'd up and lubricated a little it engaged first time with the flywheel so all good.

Thank you all for your contributions.

Steve