Worth refurbing faulty starter?

[Smiffo]

Evening.

Having recently gone through my second starter motor in 18 months, I bought a new high torque one and have it installed, but am pondering over what to do with the old one.

Is it worth getting restored / refurbished?
There are local companies that do the work, but is it worth it?

I would like to see it get back into circulation, for someone to make use of, but not if it isn't economically viable.

Thoughts?

[R0B]

Best find out how much a refurb will cost you first.

[what2do]

I opted to have a refurbishment done on a spare starter about a year ago. It came back looking stunning then I saw the bill - £190!!!! All worked carried at at a Bosch registered centre. We agreed that he kept it, I had explained that I wanted it as a cheap spare and wasn't expecting such a cost. He was happy to keep it and sell it elsewhere but it meant I lost my spare.

[Smiffo]

I opted to have a refurbishment done on a spare starter about a year ago. It came back looking stunning then I saw the bill - £190!!!! All worked carried at at a Bosch registered centre. We agreed that he kept it, I had explained that I wanted it as a cheap spare and wasn't expecting such a cost. He was happy to keep it and sell it elsewhere but it meant I lost my spare.

Yeah, I'm going to ring a couple of places tomorrow to work out an approx cost.
I imagine much of the cost will be in labour charges, so think it will not be a viable option.

I am hoping my new one - being that it isn't refurbished - will last a considerable longer period than the one I had, so am not bothered about a spare...

It's hard to work out what it would be worth refurbished too. Prices vary, but I suppose some are of better quality than others?
It seems to be more effort than it's worth really, but I hate to see something go to waste if it can be used, especially when dealing with old parts that become scarcer with time as with these vans.

[mr_nunn]

Slight tangent sorry but how have you found the high torque starter so far? And where did you get?/was it straightforward to fit?

I've been tempted by one of these so interested to hear how you've got on with it.

[Smiffo]

Slight tangent sorry but how have you found the high torque starter so far? And where did you get?/was it straightforward to fit?

I've been tempted by one of these so interested to hear how you've got on with it.

Evening Mr Nunn.

It is an HTS-MT-2WD Gear Reduction Starter ( that is what the paperwork says anyway. )

I contacted Jed at Campervan Culture after seeing some comments on here on another post, as they are a GoWesty importer.
He sorted the rest and arranged for it to be sent in on his next pallet from them in the US, and then couriered it to me.
It took about 3-4 weeks to arrive through customs etc, but so far it was worth the wait.

Very easy to fit, and I openly admit to having no experience working on any vehicle before I bought this van - and have only attempted 2 or three repairs myself ( including this one.! ) so you can see the skill level needed is minimal.

There is one `quirk` in that you need to fit an `adapter` that comes with the starter, as the mount for the thick starter cable from the battery is in a different location. This adapter doesn't have thread all the way down to the bottom and therefore won't tighten enough to hold the cable securely, so you will probably also need a few washers to `pack` it out a bit - although that might just be due to the connection on the end of my starter cable being changed at some point, and maybe the original is thicker and fits correctly?

You get everything needed in the box except some washers ( if you need them. )

As for how I have found it...
It's early days but works perfectly. No sluggish starting at all, and starts straight away.
Time will tell if it stands the test of time, but it can't be any worse than the refurbed one I bought before this...

I will post a photo if my post here doesn't make sense and you want me to?

[mr_nunn]

Slight tangent sorry but how have you found the high torque starter so far? And where did you get?/was it straightforward to fit?

I've been tempted by one of these so interested to hear how you've got on with it.

Evening Mr Nunn.

It is an HTS-MT-2WD Gear Reduction Starter ( that is what the paperwork says anyway. )

I contacted Jed at Campervan Culture after seeing some comments on here on another post, as they are a GoWesty importer.
He sorted the rest and arranged for it to be sent in on his next pallet from them in the US, and then couriered it to me.
It took about 3-4 weeks to arrive through customs etc, but so far it was worth the wait.

Very easy to fit, and I openly admit to having no experience working on any vehicle before I bought this van - and have only attempted 2 or three repairs myself ( including this one.! ) so you can see the skill level needed is minimal.

There is one `quirk` in that you need to fit an `adapter` that comes with the starter, as the mount for the thick starter cable from the battery is in a different location. This adapter doesn't have thread all the way down to the bottom and therefore won't tighten enough to hold the cable securely, so you will probably also need a few washers to `pack` it out a bit - although that might just be due to the connection on the end of my starter cable being changed at some point, and maybe the original is thicker and fits correctly?

You get everything needed in the box except some washers ( if you need them. )

As for how I have found it...
It's early days but works perfectly. No sluggish starting at all, and starts straight away.
Time will tell if it stands the test of time, but it can't be any worse than the refurbed one I bought before this...

I will post a photo if my post here doesn't make sense and you want me to?

Thanks for this Smiffo, great info. Pleased to hear that it's a job that would suit my level of mechanical experience, which is similar! I think i get what you're saying about the cable end but yes if not too much bother to post a pic of the 'quirk' that would be brilliant.

[keith]

Just had my bosch one rebuilt.....£60 all in.


<a href="http://s488.photobucket.com/user/wetstu ... .jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr24 ... 2um7d.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpshla2um7d.jpeg"/></a>

[Smiffo]

Just had my bosch one rebuilt.....£60 all in.

Was that parts to do it yourself, or was that the cost to have someone else do it?

[Smiffo]

Hi MrNun.

The below photo depicts the starter `out of the box` and the red arrow shows the bit on the fitted adaptor that has no thread.
If your connector on the ends of the starter cable and wire from alternator are thicker than that, you won't need washers:



The next photo is of my installation in-situ.
The washers used are from B+Q, although they are not copper or brass ones, they work fine:



Keith above in this comment thread has had his original Bosch repaired for £60, so maybe worth looking at that option first if funds are tight.
After all, it is only a starter motor - as long as the van starts sufficiently, the looks are un-important..!!
I took this option as I was pi$$ed off with the lifespan of my refurbished ones.

E D I T: Spoke to a bloke in Bristol today also, who can refurb mine for £60-£70 ( depending on work required ) but also says he has a brand new Bosch one for £75..!!
I can pass on his number if needed.

[mr_nunn]

Smiffo, thanks for taking the time to post those pics, really useful to know about that if I end up plumping for a high torque starter. The first thing I'm planning to try to improve my current starter (which often takes several goes and doesn't inspire confidence) is to replace the bushing that the end goes into as i understand they can cause the starter to bind and act weak. If that works it's a £5 fix. But if that doesn't improve it i may am still tempted by the high torque one esp if the refurbs cannot be relied upon to last...
Thanks again for the info.

[Smiffo]

Smiffo, thanks for taking the time to post those pics, really useful to know about that if I end up plumping for a high torque starter. The first thing I'm planning to try to improve my current starter (which often takes several goes and doesn't inspire confidence) is to replace the bushing that the end goes into as i understand they can cause the starter to bind and act weak. If that works it's a £5 fix. But if that doesn't improve it i may am still tempted by the high torque one esp if the refurbs cannot be relied upon to last...
Thanks again for the info.

No problem.
If you have the skills to change that bushing then you will be able to instal a new starter, as you have to remove it to get to the bushing anyway.
The bushing - which I tried swapping before changing the starter - is the cheapest but hardest bit and bloody frustrating, although you will find those high torque starters don't need a bushing.

Let us know what the fault was on yours when you sort it..!

Remember to disconnect the battery before you start this, or you will have an early fireworks display because the thick starter cable is permanently live..!!

[mr_nunn]

Thanks yes I'll make sure there are no fireworks if i can help it! And I'll update the thread when i get round to sorting this.

[keith]

Dropped off tuesday....picked up wednesday....60 quidd all in.

[Smiffo]

Dropped off tuesday....picked up wednesday....60 quidd all in.

Is that an automatic or diesel version Keith?
( Has cone on the top )