Starter advice

[RichardD]

A few weeks ago during MOT was advised that my starter was on its way out. It usually takes a few seconds to build up momentum when starting from hot anyway.

Last week it decided to go AWOL for a few days, turn key = the loud click, but no cranking. After its brief holiday, it returned to duty shortly after, even though after rummaging in the passenger footwell (check tightness of connections on battery), I didn't find any problem, so don't know what changed!

Given these two events I think a new one is in order as not something to take chances with!

After a bit of ferreting I've discovered:-

www.brookwell.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_RTC6061N.php (Range Rover RV8 starter, good value)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-V8-NEW-STAR ("High torque" supposedly, higher price)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Range-Rover-TVR ("This is the 1.4kw lightweight gear reduction version as fitted to current models."

Any experiences / recommendations ?

[Ballistic Banana]

Richard I have had the Prestolite one now for over 2 years ( see car history HERE ) although it has teh black casing on mine, dont know if that means they are any different.
It Cranks alot quicker than the original and is alot shorter in size so easier to get on and off ( even though I havent taken it off once yet) I also believe that as it smaller it helps with airflow around that area which is also a bonus...Maybe?? if it actually does
They are also made in South Africa so hopefully have been tried and tested in Hot conditions which may also be a bonus, But then with the price being so cheap It makes you wonder about quality? Well if it last 2-3 years than I am happy as thats what I imagine most seem to last.


BB

[lazyitus]

How easy is the Prestolite to fit, BB ?

AND

If a starter packs up, are you able to bump start a car ?

>> Edited by lazyitus on Tuesday 9th May 17:20

[Ballistic Banana]

Its easier to fit Just because you can reach the Top bolt alot easier whic is the Main PITA about changing the Starter. Another tip when changing Bin the Allen bolts if it still uses them and get some proper ones

BB

[lazyitus]

Cheers Simon.

[RichardD]

Excellent info BB, the lowest cost option also seems the best.

Will make sure I'm up to date on the GriffithPages for any future developments.

Edited to add - Was at the Stoneleigh kitcar show () and told that £110 was a bargain for a full sized RV8 starter as it should normally be £150. So glad mister credit card stayed in mister pocket

>> Edited by RichardD on Wednesday 10th May 09:15

[Ballistic Banana]

No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think.
I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad ..

BB

[lazyitus]

Ballistic Banana said:

No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think. I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad .. BB

Well, I've got one coming today in the post. Hope it works OK!

[else]

Ballistic Banana said:

No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think. I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad .. BB

My Prestolite doesn't perform at all well. I spent the day at V8D tuesday having the cam changed. The Hot start thing reared its ugly head again even though i had fitted a Mod-Wise hot start kit. I had prevoiusly suspected the starter was on its way out so i had ordered a Prestolite last week. When i got home i fitted the Prestolite while the engine was still fairly hot. It was very dissapointing, cranks really slowly and seemed to be worse than the original.

I bought a cheapy one from ebay ages ago, claimed to be a gear reduction 1.4kw version so i tried that. It spins the engine over very quickly from cold but i haven't tried it fully hot yet.

I have contacted Land Rover Direct who are happy to refund me for the Prestolite once i have returned it though I would really like to give a replacement a try. I think i might suggest they change it instead.

By the way i checked all the terminals and earths before hand (Jump lead from battery negative to the engine confirms the earthing intergrity).

Andy

[lazyitus]

else said:

Ballistic Banana said: No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think. I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad .. BB My Prestolite doesn't perform at all well. I spent the day at V8D tuesday having the cam changed. The Hot start thing reared its ugly head again even though i had fitted a Mod-Wise hot start kit. I had prevoiusly suspected the starter was on its way out so i had ordered a Prestolite last week. When i got home i fitted the Prestolite while the engine was still fairly hot. It was very dissapointing, cranks really slowly and seemed to be worse than the original. I bought a cheapy one from ebay ages ago, claimed to be a gear reduction 1.4kw version so i tried that. It spins the engine over very quickly from cold but i haven't tried it fully hot yet. I have contacted Land Rover Direct who are happy to refund me for the Prestolite once i have returned it though I would really like to give a replacement a try. I think i might suggest they change it instead. By the way i checked all the terminals and earths before hand (Jump lead from battery negative to the engine confirms the earthing intergrity). Andy

BUGGER! I wish you'd posted that yesterday !

[else]

lazyitus said:

else said: Ballistic Banana said: No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think. I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad .. BB My Prestolite doesn't perform at all well. I spent the day at V8D tuesday having the cam changed. The Hot start thing reared its ugly head again even though i had fitted a Mod-Wise hot start kit. I had prevoiusly suspected the starter was on its way out so i had ordered a Prestolite last week. When i got home i fitted the Prestolite while the engine was still fairly hot. It was very dissapointing, cranks really slowly and seemed to be worse than the original. I bought a cheapy one from ebay ages ago, claimed to be a gear reduction 1.4kw version so i tried that. It spins the engine over very quickly from cold but i haven't tried it fully hot yet. I have contacted Land Rover Direct who are happy to refund me for the Prestolite once i have returned it though I would really like to give a replacement a try. I think i might suggest they change it instead. By the way i checked all the terminals and earths before hand (Jump lead from battery negative to the engine confirms the earthing intergrity). Andy BUGGER! I wish you'd posted that yesterday !

Sorry mate, I was so busy catching up at work that i didn't go anywhere near PistonHeads.

>> Edited by else on Thursday 11th May 13:52

[JoolzB]

Ballistic Banana said:

No worries Richard, Must say it would be good to hear about other opinions on the others.. and to point out that another PHer brought a Prestolite one just before me and his wasnt very good apparently, JoolzB I think. I know of one other being use that has been ok though.2 out of 3 aint bad .. BB

I had one and it was hopeless, did the mod-wise suggestions and nothing improved with the Presto fitted. Then decided to re-fit the original Bosch with the mod-wise bits still in place and the original motor was fine and has been ever since. It was either the solenoid not getting it's full whack or the starter itself not getting a good earth, I fitted a short earth cable from the battery to the block as suggested by DB.

[lazyitus]

£75

[JoolzB]

lazyitus said:

£75

You may be ok, BB's has been fine, I guess it depeneds what the prob is, if the starter is todged then it should fix the problem, if not send it back or flog it on eBay. Have you tried the other mods btw? For a couple of quid the earth cable is def worth a try.

[lazyitus]

JoolzB said:

lazyitus said: £75 You may be ok, BB's has been fine, I guess it depeneds what the prob is, if the starter is todged then it should fix the problem, if not send it back or flog it on eBay. Have you tried the other mods btw? For a couple of quid the earth cable is def worth a try.

I'll check it out Joolz. Ian at Torque suggested my starter needed replacing so I'm taking his word for it.

We'll give it a whirl. (excuse the pun)

Thanks.

>> Edited by lazyitus on Thursday 11th May 15:07

[Ballistic Banana]

Not doubt it will be allright, Mine has been and deosnt have a DB mod, although I reckon that it would help on some that the have low volts getting to the starter. Which if the starter doesnt cure the problem it would be worth checking when engine is cold and hot, see what readings you are getting.

BB

[else]

Well, i tried the "cheapy" starter last night starting from cold which was no problem and then i tried it with the engine really hot and it was still no problem. It spun it over at exactly the same speed and sounded the same as when the engine was cold. It makes a sort of higher pitch whining noise rather than the lower grumbling tone from the original starter.

The ebay seller is still selling these see item number 4623832744. My orginal starter must have been knackered and the Prestolite must have been a bad un, but the difference is startling.

Andy

[RichardD]

An update. I had a Prestolite on order fairly quickly after BB's original recommendation. Reading later posts though did get me wondering.

Anyway when it arrived it had a crack on the casting right at the end, and all the way through. Rang Brookwells, informed them, it was collected and a full credit card refund issued, so 100% for customer service to them

Current plan involves the 1.4Kw one from eBay as above by Andrew.