WTF G50 Trans/Starter Problem

Jarrett88 · 12-01-2003, 11:01 AM

Ok so a week ago i went to start my 88 carrera and i double checked and took the car out of gear wiggled the stick side to side, then also pushed in the clutch and "cccrrrrrccchhh!!!" Thinking this was a fluke problem of maybe the starter misengaging i put it off. Now it happened again and i am 100% sure that the trans was not in gear. What is going on here, i am new to porsche but have a solid mechanical background, i need some insight as to what might be going wrong. IF the starter is like other starters on american cars could the centrifical (sp?)spring be bad or gears ground down on the starter. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jarrett

john walker's workshop · 12-01-2003, 11:21 AM

G50 carreras came with a thin starter ring gear, the teeth of which get severely worn, ground away, chipped, etc, often taking the starter drive teeth with them. there is an updated, wider ring gear which superceeds the thin one. that would be my guess.

buttjoint · 12-01-2003, 11:46 AM

Sounds like ring gear just as jw said. Been their done that

Jarrett88 · 12-01-2003, 01:05 PM

So what would be a good place to source out this update, or can i just take a ring from an older style trans offered before the G50? i am guessing that the engine and needs to be dropped to access this ring, should i update the starter too? Thanks again for such prompt responses. Jarrett

john walker's workshop · 12-01-2003, 02:39 PM

pelican should be able to supply the ring gear. fits G50 cars only. engine and trans out together on a G50 car. starter drive gear condition remains to be seen. it should be obvious once you look at it.

masraum · 12-01-2003, 02:43 PM

You can probably get the gear here at Pelican, you will have to use a G-50 gear as the prior parts were different, and yes, you will have to pull the motor.

As far as the starter, I don't think there's an update for this, but you may want to replace or have rebuilt if the gear in the starter is bad.

buttjoint · 12-01-2003, 05:03 PM

While you'r in their make sure that the g50 upgrade has been done. Any questions try the search function at top of page. Just enter g50 update

toolman · toolman's Garage

I just had my starter rebuilt and they found it too be very dry on the bendix. He said it probably had a hard time retracting after the start although I never had a problem. Remove the starter and check it out before you drop the engine.

350HP930 · 12-01-2003, 05:09 PM

Here is a shot of the ring gear that stranded my 930 . . .

Jarrett88 · 12-01-2003, 10:26 PM

WOw thanks for all the responses and even the picture. Guess tomorrow i get to use my new set of air tools i just bought. I am going to pull the starter first and see if the starter spring is not working properly, i had this happen to two of my jetskis and it seems like it might be similar. Thanks again to all that responded

Jarrett88 · 12-05-2003, 02:21 PM

So i have been a little tied up with work and all, but i did have time to got through the previous owners records and he shows the starter ring and starter being replaced as of 7-13-03. Have you seen rings go bad this fast, the repair shop that did the work is local and unless you guys think it could be anything else i am going to go there and see what they say, hopefully they stand behind there work!