Mean Green Starters - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

redassag00 · #31 10-15-2008, 04:35 PM

Bravo!

A sound clip or youtube video would be awesome!

#32 10-15-2008, 04:57 PM

It doesn't help that you have a 240D too. 300D owners should be a little easier since the engine extends 4" further back.

johnbonds · #33 12-20-2008, 11:32 AM

Well, it was a joy to use for two months. Last week it stopped working. Ten o'clock at night, no joy at all from the key. Got some help and push started the (4sp) car. Tested voltage to the solenoid--9.4v. No good. So ordered a starter relay kit (WR-1 Bosch). Installed it--blew the 15amp fuse. Twice. More checking. Tried a direct connect from the battery to the solenoid post. Nothing. Checked for continuity of the connection--good. Checked for voltage coming from the switch, disconnected from the solenoid--12+ volts. Enough. Shorted across from the main battery connection on the starter to the solenoid (always power on that main connection)--nothing. Sparks but no movement of the solenoid.

So, the good news is that the key starter switch is still okay. But the starter solenoid is frozen. So much for MeanGreen's "better mousetrap." I've communicated with them, asking what to do with this unit. Obviously it has to come out--again. I have a spare Bosch HD rebuilt on the shelf and will probably put it in, as I don't relish replacing starters every three months, even if it does sound really cool.

I'll add a note when I hear back from MeanGreen. At this point I don't recommend the product.

John Bonds
240D 4sp, 200k daily driver
Charleston SC

MercedesRover · #34 12-20-2008, 03:47 PM

Hmmm. Sorry you're having trouble with your MeanGreen starter. What a pain in the arse.

I have two of them. One is on a 616 engine in my short Land Rover and another on a 617 engine in my long Land Rover.

The one in the 616 was installed probably 6 years ago and was the first MG starter sold for a Benz engine. The nose plate was machined about 0.060" too close to the flywheel and made a terrible sing when engaged. Got 'hold of them on the phone and it took WEEKS for them to machine me a new nose piece. In their defense (or maybe they're just really clever about making excuses) they had a fire at the factory where they make them and then the diabetic head machinist had to have is feet cut off when I was having my trouble. Still not sure if those things were true or not!! It has been in the truck every since with no troubles what-so-ever.

The second one has been in the 617 engine for only 6 months and has been perfect from the start.

Besides using me as an unwitting test-bed for the original starter I haven't had any problems with the unit themselves. Customer service, however, isn't the greatest in the world and it's a shame. I do believe that these starters are an awesome upgrade for a Benz diesel, especially in cold climes but I wish the company had a little better service.

And yes, John, I had the same clocking issues with my starters. If only the company provided the instructions you laid out!

Good luck and I hope they make it right for you.

Mister Byrnzoil · #35 12-20-2008, 07:28 PM

I sold my jeep long ago, I didn't remember that this starter had an integrated solenoid... I'm not sure how I feel about that design, I've always considered solenoids as consumables...

punkinfair · #36 12-20-2008, 10:08 PM

after reading this post i wonder what's the matter with using a factory bosch starter? using this mean green starter sounds like so much aggravation for very little benefit, perhaps even some detriment. i live in a very cold climate and there is never an issue with starting. 3 years ago i put a new bosch reman and it works flawlessly even on the coldest day. it's more important to have a strong battery and perfect wiring than more HP in the starter. not sure on the 617 engine but the stock 603 starter is very robust. the other comment i have is that in my every day business selling parts and working vintage VW's, aftermarket parts are often very spotty, and gear reduction starters are inconsistent in terms of quality. generic remanufactured starters are often not very good, but if they are factory bosch units in the bosch box the quality is very good.

MercedesRover · #37 12-21-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkinfair

after reading this post i wonder what's the matter with using a factory bosch starter?

In my case, when adapting the Land Rover tranny to the Benz engine the Bosch starter nose-cone gets in the way. That's the original reason why I went with a MG starter. As my second Land Rover uses an NP435 tranny behind the Benz engine I didn't really need to use the MG unit but I did anyway. My first one has been very reliable and they do spin the motor over a good deal faster than the stock starter. Not a big deal for warmer regions and/or a good running/starting engine but I figure it can't hurt.

johnbonds · #38 02-21-2009, 01:02 AM

Final Report: MeanGreen starter. After my last post (12/20), I went away for Christmas, then came back to take out the starter. Bench tested it. No joy, solenoid apparently shorted (no resistance from pin to case). Replaced it with the USA rebuilt Bosch so I could drive the car. Finally got an answer from MG and a shipping number to return the unit on 1/14, and shipped it on 1/15. They received it on 1/19. No communication for two weeks, so I sent emails (with receipt notification on both) weekly thereafter. Finally I called on Feb 16. The person answering the phone put me on hold for about 4min, then came back on to say they were working on the unit and would be shipping it back "within a day or two." Today (2/20) I received notice that it was shipped from Pennsylvania and would be arriving on 2/24. In my view, unless you really enjoy swapping out these starters, an MG unit is not a good bet. They're over $300 with shipping. The warrantee provides only for repair or replacement (so you're stuck with the unit), and their service is simply awful. I still have no info from them on what was wrong with it, and the car would have been offline since mid-December if I had not put in a Bosch while this one was sent back.
Recommendation: Get a good Bosch rebuilt and do it once only. Until MG becomes customer-friendly, using their unit may be very frustrating--and expensive. But I DID love the sound.

John Bonds, '82 240 4sp, daily driver (now that it starts again)
Charleston

pawoSD · #39 02-21-2009, 11:30 AM

A german rebuilt Bosch unit from Fastlane cranks real fast, even at 0F temps and below.....we put one on my bro's 300D and it fires up effortlessly at any temp. The key is to get a GOOD Bosch rebuild....and that means a german one.

Mark DiSilvestro · #40 02-21-2009, 02:11 PM

I've seen the Asian gear-reduction replacement starters, as well as some shabby rebuilds of OE which are usually beat-up looking units with a fresh coat of paint.
But my local Pep-Boys carries the Bosch rebuilts. Those seem to be of decent quality, and the one I bought for an '80 300D (admittedly, several years ago) was only around $100, while most local parts suppliers wanted $200 - $300 for their rebuilts.

Happy Motoring, Mark

johnbonds · #41 02-25-2009, 03:49 PM

OK, final of the final report. On 2/24/09, the starter came back from Mean-Green. No paperwork. No indication of what went wrong. No instructions to install (again). Just the unit in a box.

I have a good Bosch remanufactured unit (the more powerful one for the 300D) in the car and it's working fine. It will stay there until it fails. Then I might try the MG unit again. Not before that happens.

John Bonds
Charleston 240D 4sp, 200k

yellit · #42 02-25-2009, 08:41 PM

What a pain....
I am very glad you posted this unending customer relations disaster...
I was considering one of those starters...... but NO WAY now...
Thanks again for all the pain and effort you endured so we wont have to....
Just more modern day seller apathy....Then these places wonder why they lose business...
Sorry for all the agravation you suffered but your warnings will be heeded here....

johnbonds · #43 04-22-2009, 03:17 PM

If anyone is interesting in trying a MG starter, I'm happy to offer it to you at half price. The one I returned, which was returned with no explanation, is sitting in a box in my garage. $150 plus shipping to anyone who wants to try "the better idea." Before doing it, please read all that has preceded. If you still want to go that route, lemme know and I'll get it off to you. And I'll provide you advice while you're doing the installation, too.

John Bonds '82 240D 4sp, daily driver
Charleston

#44 04-22-2009, 03:20 PM

Tempting, unfortunately I don't need a starter at the moment.

pawoSD · #45 04-22-2009, 04:08 PM

I trust the Bosch Starters....I still have the one that came with my car installed, I've had the car for 6 years/75k....and it has never not cranked right up properly....and it has taken a beating over those 6 years...we'll see how much longer it lasts.

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