Mulsanne failure

[pants19]

Just returned from Le Mans and the Chimp (4.0 HC) did me proud apart from the failure on the Mulsanne straight.

I had just been pleasing the crowd for 1/2 hour with loud fly pasts and had stopped on the grass to watch the exotic equipment being flauted about.
After 5~10 mins of watching the action I decided to go back to the tent for a cold beer and call it a day but the car didnt start!
The fuel pump primed and with a push it fired but no life from the starter, nothing.
When I tried it again the next morning it started first time on the motor.?! ( It was a hot day and the car had been ragged...! )

Anyone else suffered from this and how do I prevent it happening again..

ps Thanks to the guys in the bentley with the blow up doll driving for giving us the water in the heat much appreciated..

[ATG]

Common story. First signs of starter motor death. You might just be lucky as in those circumstances it probably got more thoroughly roasted than it ever will again. Some other pistonheaders have added extra heat shielding material to protect the starter, usually after having it replaced.

[pants19]

Thanks ATG.

How much does a starter cost..?
Is there an approved heat shield available ?

[shpub]

350 new. Considerably less if reconned depending on what is wrong. Cheapest is if the solenoid is the issue.

Had this on my Griff. Tower View sorted it for around 75 including a heat shield when they last serviced the car.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[lateconvert]

Had heard that starter motor was prone to heat exhaustion so I figured that prevention is better than cure and got a heat shield from .mod-wise.com
Bugger to fit without decent ramps but seems fine.

[sipow]

Pants

This happened to me about 20 miles north of Le Mans on monday on the way home.
Pulled into gets some petrol and it didnt restart(not the first time this has happened)
I have the heatshield but i think its a bit late now as i think the starter is on the way out slowely.
It doesnt happen all the time which is just as annoying as u r left wondering where u might be left stranded next.
Mind u when i was in the petrol station with the hood up i was pleasantly surprised how many people asked if they could help at all.

Simon

[raceboy]

Carry a long stick in the boot, when it fails to start just hit the affending item with stick, hey presto, it starts, and it's great for anger management

[Neil Menzies]

quote:
Carry a long stick in the boot, when it fails to start just hit the affending item with stick, hey presto, it starts, and it's great for anger management

© John Cleese, 1975

[Hut49]

Reminds me of my first car - Zephyr Six Mk1 - used to carry a long pole with that, but it served two purposes - one, as a thumper for the cantankerous starter motor and two as a lever to put between the column change knuckles which used to get jammed in neutral. I think it went with the Zephyr - I didn't think I would need it again!
Nick

[GingaNinga]

Wow - finally I can put something back into this forum as I always appear to be asking questions and not helping!

My 1996 Chimaera 500 had the same problem as it wouldn't start when hot. I had the starter motor replaced the weekend before Le Mans, razzed all the way there, did the Mulsanne bit, razzed all the way back and had no problems starting at all. Dave Batty at "The Garage" near Guildford changed my old one for me (while I waited), I have yet to be invoiced for it but was told it was going to be £140 +VAT and about 45 mins labour.

[pants19]

Thanks All

Had quote for replacement exchange starter £140. Guaranteed for 12 months..

Although with british weather might need to wrap it to keep it warm...

[david beer]

You really should invest in a jacket for it, as its going to happen again if you do not.