Carrera Starter R&R...

[Rick Lee]

Looks like I may need a new starter in my '87 Carrera. Obviously, I can't sell the car with a hot start problem. I may do this on Sat. How bad is the R&R? I don't have my books at the office with me. Thanks.

[KTL]

As you already know, there's only two barrel nuts holding the starter in there.

The outer inhex nut is easy to get at from under the car.

Helps to lower the motor a bit so you can get at that pesky inner nut.

After that it's just some wire disconnects.

[BGCarrera32]

If its about the same configuration as my '84 (I have the 915 tranny) you'll need an allen tipped socket with an extension to hit the upper barrel nut. Kinda in a blind spot as I recall (can't see her from underneath).

And disconnect ya battery befo' you start...

[targa911man]

Richard--

Bring it to my house. We can do it in under an hour. You don't need to lower the engine. Call or email me. If you can't bring it to my house I may be able to make it to yours.

[Rick Lee]

Thanks guys. Dan, I need to round up a starter first and will make an appt. with you.

[kepperly]

thom, if you are going to do it your self, you need to locate your self under the car correctly. the big trick is that upper
barrell nut, take it off first. lay under the car and reach over the trans to reach it. then disconnect the wiring and take off the lower barrell nut.

Keith Epperly -87 slant nose cabriolet turbo look carrera

[addictionMS]

don't forget to disconnect the battery first, as for that pesky barrel nut, I used a 10 mm hex key cut off to about 2 inches, and one of those 10 mm ratcheting box end wrenches, worked like a charm. I had to remove the flapper box to get enough room to really torque on it since a gorilla put on my started.

Jim

[targa911man]

OK Richard, just let me know.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Richard LeSchander
Looks like I may need a new starter in my '87 Carrera. .

are you sure the sol. doesn't need a good cleaning.. it seems the engine heat cooks the grease.. and some speculate that the heat expands the sol. slider...............Ron

[Rick Lee]

Ron, I have heard that before. But it's no more work to just replace it than to clean it and I have to have it 100% reliable to sell it.

[BGCarrera32]

What is involved in repairing/replacing these? I'm on a budget, and 2 or 3 times over the last 20 or so starts my solenoid didn't shoot all the way and got the dreaded grind. I also wouldn't mind a quicker crank speed either... (yes new battery and cleaned connections already)

-BG

[NYNA 11]

Guys,
The G50 box is bigger so you cannot get to the upper barrel nut without lowering the front of the transmission. First remove the tranny support, next the selector rod, then the elecs and then lower the front of the box. The roll bar must come off too. If you don't pay attention, on reassembly, the support can be installed backwards.
All this is detailed in the Bently book.
Ned

[kepperly]

NYNA 11, I GUESS MY 87 DIDN'T COME W/ a G-50
87 SLANT NOSE WIDE BODY TURBO LOOK CABRIOLET !!!

kEITH EPPERLY
WICHITA, KNS PCA MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN AND TECH WRITER

[addictionMS]

I just replaced the starter on my 1988 with a G50 without touching the motor and trani so it can be done. see my post above on how I did it. It was tight, but possible.

Jim

[john walker's workshop]

sure is a lot easier to drop the nose of the trans down.

[NYNA 11]

Guys,
If I ever have to do it again, I will try to get the upper nut without horsing with the tranny. The factory manuel says to lower the box so I did. I still had to cobble up a chunk of 10 mm hex, a 10 mm wrench and some serious swing to get it loose.
Ned

[kepperly]

NYNA 911, BYE YOU HANDEL I CAN'T TELL IF YOU HAVE ANY GERMAN IN YOU OR NOT, I GUESS NOT.

KEITH

[KTL]

Originally posted by kepperly
NYNA 911, BYE YOU HANDEL I CAN'T TELL IF YOU HAVE ANY GERMAN IN YOU OR NOT, I GUESS NOT.

KEITH

What the heck are you talking about KEITH????? You need to calm down a bit and not take each and every post so personally.

Anyway, being that the slave cylinder is in the way on a G50 trans. Getting at the nut from over the top has gotta be tough. With standard tools I think you're better off lowering the trans. down a bit to get at it properly. It's not a big deal to do and will probably save some aggravation of trying to snake your hand and tool up there blindly. Although Jim's shortened hex key w/ ratcheting offset box wrench sounds like the hot setup for this if you feel like making one.

I know he's not God, but it's still hard to disagree with John Walker. I'm sure he's BTDT and then some!

[targa911man]

Richard--

Forgot you had a G-50. Seems to be a conflict of opinion on lowering the tranny. When I did mine, some folks told me you had to lower the 915, but I was able to get at the upper bolt without doing that. I can't argue with JW, but it will just take a second to see if I can snake my arm around to that top bolt from under. Either way we'll get it done.

[Rick Lee]

Right now, I'd love to have lowering the tranny as my only problem. Dulles may have the car this weekend. I'll know more tomorrow.