Is it me or wot?

[crazymatelot]

My starter motor has been playing up for a about a week now, it screeches, sometimes it won't engage first time, it's obviously got problems, the car will start eventually though. I decided to take the starter motor out and have a look, I thought maybe the bendix is sticking or perhaps it's just drying out. So, had a look at the postings on here to see how other people did it. Sounds simple I thought, so I disconnected the battery, removed the fuel rail, and took out the two bolts holding the starter motor in. Can I get it between the engine and bulkhead, can I b*****cks, I reckon I'm gonna have to take off the rear coil set now. Has anybody else had to remove so much just to get the starter motor out, or is it just me?

[high52kojak]

Its you! I had to remove my fuel rail and push it forward and hold the cables back against the bulkhead, it would then squeeze through the gap in the middle. Some people have removed it with the fuel rail in place somehow.
It'll be your starter gear assembly that will be shot, about £50 for a new one, there is a link to it somewhere on here.

[crazymatelot]

I have spent the last 3 hours juggling the dam thing trying all ways to make it come through that gap. The fuel rail is not on the car, I have completely removed it, and tucked all the hoses out of the way, but I still can't get it out. I'll give it another go after a cuppa, that sometimes helps.

[jonbarrett]

It's you! It does fit. Mine is a 4.5.

[high52kojak]

Did you undo the cables that bolt to it??

[crazymatelot]

I reckon there must be a difference in the layout between a 4.2 and a 4.5. I've finally got it out, it will come, but one way only. Next step is to look at this gearing everyone is changing, not sure I've got a socket small enough for the 4 very small bolts holding the plate in place, any idea what size they are, looks like i'll have to nip out tomorrow and buy a socket to fit.

Edited to add. John, I thought you had a speed 6. You did the last time I did the evo triangle with you.

Edited by crazymatelot on Wednesday 22 July 19:23

[ridds]

YeEah the 4.2 is an arse because of the inlet manifolds. Did you take the 4.2 fuel rail off and leave the left hand manifold on?

Both the starters I've had used cross head screws to hold the various plates on.

[high52kojak]

I thought they were just cross head screws? But it was a couple of months ago.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... gear

[crazymatelot]

I didn't have to take the inlet manifold off, the starter came out with a bit of wriggling eventually. The starter motor has 3 X 4BA bolts holding a thin plate on the end. The 4 bolts holding the clutch gearing in place look to be the same size but I can't get at them with a spanner I need a socket, they are definately not cross headed screws.