Starter Question

[Grady]

Need to change the starter on my 280i. Looks like downpipe needs to come off to access the upper bolt. But I want to confirm I'm attacking the correct bolt.

The upper bolt has its head at the rear and screws in toward the front (opposite of the lower bolt). On my car it also right behind the oxygen sensor too. Correct bolt?

Any trick to making this easier? Thanks Grady

[york33]

Can't remember what the bolts look like, but I didn't have to unbolt anything other than the starter when I extracted mine.......

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..You should be able to get to the starter from underneath..There shouldnt be any reason to unbolt anything else..Just the two bolts on the starter..You should be able to see it through the wheel arch Drivers side...Ziga

[RCK974X]

I have never encountered anything but a 2 bolt starter on Cologne V6 engines (2.3 and 2.8) including both 4 and 5 speed boxes.

I know some of the 4 cyl pinto (2.0) engines did have 3 bolt fastenings.

Bolts are 10mm, if they are original Ford ones, they do have a reduced head size as access is a bit tricky. Both bolts fit through the starter flange into the threaded bellhousing.

You CAN get the starter out without dismantling the exhaust, but it's definitely in the 'tricky threading' category..... but done that on my 1982 Wedge. I did it from underneath, if that helps.

There are a few different starter options, the 2.3 had a smaller starter, but it will work on a 2.8 in warm climates, and a Bosch and Lucas option (and perhaps more)

The Bosch one is shorter than the Lucas one, although both should be removeable.

[Grady]

Didn't think about going at it from the wheel arch. I'll try that. The bottom one was a 17mm; the one about 180 degrees opposite (above) looks to be the same but is on the back side which I've never seen before. I'll know more next weekend. Thanks Grady

Edited by Grady on Saturday 28th April 19:08

[RCK974X]

Yeah 13mm head (1/2 inch-ish) sounds right....

I think I used a really long socket extender to get the motor off, inserted from underneath, and it's fairly heavy when you're trying to thread it in and out.....so be careful of your fingers !!

[Grady]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Mate....You should be able to see it through the wheel arch Drivers side...Ziga

Ziga - You're a genius! 20 minutes: tools out, jack the car, wheel off, spot bolt, starter off and bench test bad.

Off to the rebuilder on Tuesday. Thanks again Grady

Edited by Grady on Saturday 21st April 21:42

Edited by Grady on Saturday 28th April 19:08

[mrzigazaga]

No problem mate...Glad i could help...Ziga

[Grady]

That fixed it. Much easier from the wheel well side. Used my lift to support it, snugged up the bottom bolt and then backed it off a touch and just had to wiggle the starter and hand-turn the bolt on a long set of extensions until it found the hole and threaded right up.