Replacing the starter............?

Sunroof · 08-26-2002, 07:27 AM

Interesting situation of late......
Since my AC is all charged up and going the car has been running much hotter (220). Lately, when I start the car up after a run it won't start back up......Ignition switch is new so is the battery and alternator was replced last year.

Somone adivsed that when the starters get hot they tend to bind with age and will not function. When the car sits for a hour or so and the temp. settles, it will start! Not a fast turnover, but it does start up.

Took a consensus with four P- wrenches. Three said I need a new starter, one said a "hot start kit".

Before I pump a few bucks into a starter, I thought I would ask the board for feedback. I did not try cleaning the contacts on the starter yet. Ground strap is okay. When it tries to restart hot, its a low one time drag or nothing.

Help.

Regards
Bob
73.5T

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

On my 72, I replaced the tranny ground strap. I also added another one for heck of it. I also added the hot start kit at the same time. My car was doing the same thing. Very embarassing at times. I have not had the problem since-not once!
Forgot to add, I replaced the starter first and was pissed that it didn't fix the problem. Getting that top nut off the starter is one of the worst jobs on a porsche. So, You may want to try the cheap method first. But, I'm no porsche mechanic either.
Good luck

chuckr · 08-26-2002, 11:20 AM

I highly recommend that you replace the starter.It is not worth the extra time and money not to.You will be suprised how much better your car starts and how secure you'll feel knowing you have a new starter.

Early_S_Man · 02:09 PM

Bob,

Be sure to clean all of the ground straps and the battery terminals/posts ... and the terminals on the solenoid!

But, the starter may just need disassembling, cleaning, and lubricating with a high-temperature moly grease such as Valvoline #986 SynPower Synthetic Grease. I have found that to be the case with several VW and Porsche starters exhibiting problems after a high-temp heat soak.

Neilk · 08-26-2002, 01:56 PM

I had some intermittent hot start problems.

Check out this thread.

In that thread I wrote:

"This might not be related, but a few months ago I had a couple of hot start problems with my car. I didn't feel like messing with the starter so I started looking at the wiring off of the battery. There were 3 thick wires with ring terminals at the end that connected to the battery. The copper wiring to those terminals were somewhat corroded and in less than stellar condition so I cut them off. I then cleaned the wiring so it looked shiny and corrosion free and used some non correct ring terminals that I had bought at Home Depot to replace the old terminals. Since then I haven't had a problem. "

CamB · CamB's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by tobluforu
Getting that top nut off the starter is one of the worst jobs on a porsche. So, You may want to try the cheap method first. But, I'm no porsche mechanic either.
Good luck

I can second that - it was a b1tch getting mine off (last night) and it was only put on the engine a couple of hundred miles ago (as part of a rebuild).

By the way, I am getting a local (in New Zealand) place to make up a 2kW starter to fit for about US$150 or so. I think that is even cheaper than a rebuilt one in the US. It isn't Bosch, but I am assured it will do the job (Nippon Denso I think).

And 2.7hp is better than trying to find a 1.5hp Bosch one (I have an 0.8hp one and it wouldn't/couldn't start my new engine hot - in fact, it struggled cold).