Procedure for removing starter

[gwl123]

Can anyone here provide some info on removing/installing a starter motor. I understand it is on the passenger side of the engine and kinda difficult to reach.

[sailchef]

If you have ever given someone a bearhug then you have allready experienced "the position".

The starter sits on top of the tranny and I found it easier to "bearhug" the tranny to be able to get both hands on the starter. You will be working blind for the most part.

To make things easier you can move a few other components out of the way. The rear wheel,the heat exchanger hose, and even the half shaft to give you more room.

I would spray large quantities of WD-40 onto the bolts, more so to get them clean so the wrench will fit snug.

I have never taken the starter out seperately, but, I have unbolted the tranny from the engine to do a engine removal and the starter is in the same area as the tranny bolt, not sure but one of the studs for the tranny may hold the starter in.

The picture below will give you an idea of where its located.



Be sure to use good jack stands, the higher you can get the rear end the easier it will be.
I also use a couple lengths of 6X6's stacked on top of each other for added safety. I ALWAYS double up on the supports holding up the car. you want to be safe.

Where in MD are you?

[john walker's workshop]

somewhat more difficult and different procedure '87 on up. maybe redo your signature to include the year of your 911.

[Oh Haha]

The "bearhug" works. You'll be amazed that a task that appears nearly impossible can be done this way.

I would bet that you'll say "well, sonofabi@#$, it works" as you are hugging the gearbox.

[NY91184]

make sure when its comming out your hands arent oily, its heavy enough that it requires a good grip during removal

[rnln]

very heavy and very... *****y. After several attempts, my friend mechanic and I undid the shifter rod and lowered the trany several inches, take the heater hose on the right off to be able to do this task.

[gwl123]

I have an '89 3.2. How much more difficult too much for a diy?

[jimbauman]

Be sure to disconnect your battery before you start or the sparks may fly! Also, it helps to lower the engine a bit if you can.... just for easier access.

JB

[john walker's workshop]

'87 requires disconnect battery, remove sway bar, loosen heat hose clamps at exchangers, disconnect shifter from the trans, support end of trans with a jack, remove trans mount bolts, lower trans 6 inches. then you can get at the top starter nut with a 10mm allen socket, extension and ratchet. the rest is obvious. not fun on the ground. solid jack stands under the torsion bar tubes outside the spring plates.

[gwl123]

I guess that means a trip to the shop....definitely not an easy job. I plan to replace the Bosch starter with the mini-starter one on ebay:

PORSCHE 911 MINI STARTER IMI PORSCHE 912 / 914 / 930 : eBay Motors (item 320466102861 end time Jan-21-10 20:04:28 PST).


Ad says it will fit my '89 3.2 911. JW can you confirm this??

[Rot 911]

You know that starter in the ebay ad is a rebuilt starter don't you? I would pay the extra money and get a new one. You don't want to do this job more than once.

As for doing it yourself, even with doing everything JW describes it is still not much more than a 4 hour job start to finish.

[john walker's workshop]

i charge 1.5hr labor, so sometimes it's easier to just have a shop do it.

[gwl123]

That's 1.5 hour of labor for you JW?! Wish you were here in MD. I was told its a 4 hour job at my shop. I had planned on a rebuilt unit from Bosch but the ebay one is lighter.

[john walker's workshop]

boy, those guys know how to make a buck, or they're not very good.

[Oh Haha]

Do you REALLY need the lightweight version?

I had mine rebuilt locally for $75.00.

Besides,Pelican sells new starters.

[rnln]

after getting to it several times, I think 1.5 to 2 hours for the prof. with prof tools is reasonable. 4, to 5 hours is more for us diy. Unless, they are not P specialist.

[tmctguer]

i changed the starter on my 1989 911. access to the starter required me to jack the car up pretty high, lower the transmission case several inches, and STILL fight to get the bolts loosened up. i did not use the bear hug technique but used lots of extensions to get to the nuts.

i would say this was the most difficult & frustrating of any of the projects i've done on my Pcars. i am not an expert mechanic by any means, but i have done lots of the projects in Wayne's book, less engine drops, tranny rebuilds, etc.

this is a tough one in my humble opinion. doable, but easy to get frustrated while in the throws of the project.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Do you REALLY need the lightweight version?

I had mine rebuilt locally for $75.00.

Besides,Pelican sells new starters.

There are new lightweight/high-torque starters available. They shave a few pounds for certain.

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

boy, those guys know how to make a buck, or they're not very good.

Maybe both...


Difficult to reach, maybe it's best to drop the entire engine and do full rebuild. You know, while you're in there....

[layzee]

Having done this myself in a cramped garage I'd definitely recommend JW's partial drop method.

Even if you get the original out with the hug it's so heavy it's very hard to get back in correctly.

While you're in there you might as well replace with a hi-torque version from our host. Very worthwhile upgrade for the money.