Starter motor removal
Discussion
After limping through this year, my starter motor has finally refused to do the business and so the Cerb is tucked up in the garage at home. At least it didn't die on me whilst I was out and about!
Rather than get the old girl trailered to a garage, I thought I'd have a bash at getting the starter motor out myself and then taking it for a refurb. In a previous posting people replied to say that it was a relatively simple job to get the sm out, the main job was to get the fuel rail out of the way so as to get access to the motor.
Could some kind soul give me a step by step guide to moving the fuel rail, please, before I break something?
Does it come off in one assembly or do all the injectors need to be disconnected along with the throttle cable and fuel lines? On a scale of 1 to 10 for spannering skills, I'd put myself somewhere around the 4 or 5 mark so that you know how step by step we're talking
Rather than get the old girl trailered to a garage, I thought I'd have a bash at getting the starter motor out myself and then taking it for a refurb. In a previous posting people replied to say that it was a relatively simple job to get the sm out, the main job was to get the fuel rail out of the way so as to get access to the motor.
Could some kind soul give me a step by step guide to moving the fuel rail, please, before I break something?
Does it come off in one assembly or do all the injectors need to be disconnected along with the throttle cable and fuel lines? On a scale of 1 to 10 for spannering skills, I'd put myself somewhere around the 4 or 5 mark so that you know how step by step we're talking
Remove the cover at the bottom of the window screen first, you dont need to take the fuel pipes off, remove airboxes/ induction and remove the two straps holding the fuel rail down.
With a bit off a wiggle the rail will pop off the injectors or the injectors can stay in the rail and they will pop out of the inlets or prob a bit of both. It can then be moved towards the front of the engine a few inches ( pipes still attached ) giving more clearance to lift the starter through, your injector O rings could be a bit perished if they been in there for a while, they are only cheap, they are listed on the parts page: http://www.tvr-cerbera.net/parts.htm
Easy.
With a bit off a wiggle the rail will pop off the injectors or the injectors can stay in the rail and they will pop out of the inlets or prob a bit of both. It can then be moved towards the front of the engine a few inches ( pipes still attached ) giving more clearance to lift the starter through, your injector O rings could be a bit perished if they been in there for a while, they are only cheap, they are listed on the parts page: http://www.tvr-cerbera.net/parts.htm
Easy.
on a 4.5 its a very simple job on a 4.2 due to the induction system it is more difficult. I did the whole thing in about 2hrs on a 4.5.
leave a door open and have keys out of car.
disarm alarm and then disconnect +ve battery (stps alarm sounding when you disconnect battery)
take offthe windscreen cover at the base of screen.
remove the passenger airbox and the 2 induction hoses nearest the the windscreen , one from each bank.
Remove the clipon starter heat shield.
You will need some allen key type sockets
undo the 2 starter mounting bolts is a little fiddly
Tilt starter up then undo starter solenoid cables
The starter easily then comes thru the gap you have created by moving the airbox and hose.
Before you do any of this make sure that the engine has a good earth. I removed my starter and it was in perfect condition only to find the engine earth was shagged. I would run a thick cable direct from the -ve on the battery to a large bolt on the engine. mines be perfect ever since.
good luck.
leave a door open and have keys out of car.
disarm alarm and then disconnect +ve battery (stps alarm sounding when you disconnect battery)
take offthe windscreen cover at the base of screen.
remove the passenger airbox and the 2 induction hoses nearest the the windscreen , one from each bank.
Remove the clipon starter heat shield.
You will need some allen key type sockets
undo the 2 starter mounting bolts is a little fiddly
Tilt starter up then undo starter solenoid cables
The starter easily then comes thru the gap you have created by moving the airbox and hose.
Before you do any of this make sure that the engine has a good earth. I removed my starter and it was in perfect condition only to find the engine earth was shagged. I would run a thick cable direct from the -ve on the battery to a large bolt on the engine. mines be perfect ever since.
good luck.
a1rak said:
PS.
forget to answer some of the points raised... none of the injectors need disconnecting neither does the fuel rail. its just one air box and 2 induction pipes on the 4.5 cerb.
....wish I'd seen this post earlier! Beginning to think that my level 4 or 5 on my spannering skills was a bit optimistic! I'd let you all have a laugh at my expense at what I've managed to do but I'm too embarassed to say forget to answer some of the points raised... none of the injectors need disconnecting neither does the fuel rail. its just one air box and 2 induction pipes on the 4.5 cerb.
....after reading all of your helpful replies I embarked upon removing the starter moter to have it refurbished.
I'd taken a few bits and bobs off and was getting really stuck in when my son started watching. Conversation went something like:
Son "what's the matter with it, dad?
Me "Starter motor packed up"
Son " What's that thing that you've just disconnected and unbolted?"
Me "It's the alternator, it charges the battery"
Son " What's wrong with that?
Me "Nothing"
Son "So why are you taking it out?"
Me "Now you mention it, I have no f*****g idea"
So I'm no further forward infact I'm further back because I can't get the damned alternator bolted on again. What a complete tw@t I am!
Question: should there be a spacer in between the alternator and the mounting bracket where the adjustment allen bolt fits? I found one and a couple of washers under the alternator. I can't remember seeing a spacer but the washers definitely aren't my handywork, they've been there a while.
I'd taken a few bits and bobs off and was getting really stuck in when my son started watching. Conversation went something like:
Son "what's the matter with it, dad?
Me "Starter motor packed up"
Son " What's that thing that you've just disconnected and unbolted?"
Me "It's the alternator, it charges the battery"
Son " What's wrong with that?
Me "Nothing"
Son "So why are you taking it out?"
Me "Now you mention it, I have no f*****g idea"
So I'm no further forward infact I'm further back because I can't get the damned alternator bolted on again. What a complete tw@t I am!
Question: should there be a spacer in between the alternator and the mounting bracket where the adjustment allen bolt fits? I found one and a couple of washers under the alternator. I can't remember seeing a spacer but the washers definitely aren't my handywork, they've been there a while.
And the saga continues...
Took the starter motor to a local refurb garage. They tried it and found that there was nothing wrong with it. Fired up every time and the drive was solid enough.
I refitted it to the car but still have exactly the same problem! I can hear the starter motor spinning away, it just doesn't seem to engage on the flywheel. It did finally dog in and start the car but I haven't been able to start it again since.
Anone know what's wrong with it? Does it need dismantling and greasing or something like that? Or would it be simpler to justget a new starter and be done with it?
Under normal circumstances, I love my Cerb; for the past couple of weeks I've hated it
Took the starter motor to a local refurb garage. They tried it and found that there was nothing wrong with it. Fired up every time and the drive was solid enough.
I refitted it to the car but still have exactly the same problem! I can hear the starter motor spinning away, it just doesn't seem to engage on the flywheel. It did finally dog in and start the car but I haven't been able to start it again since.
Anone know what's wrong with it? Does it need dismantling and greasing or something like that? Or would it be simpler to justget a new starter and be done with it?
Under normal circumstances, I love my Cerb; for the past couple of weeks I've hated it
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