Is the 603 starter rebuildable?
 

Hello,

I think I may have toasted my solenoid with all the abusive cranking from earlier in the year

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/352723-603-priming-every-start.html

The warmer weather has made starting the engine a lot easier.So I will be rebuilding that fuel pre-heater/thermostat soon


My problem is that the starter will click but not start until I turn the key 3 or 4 times. The same behavior is exhibited whether I try to stay the car in park or in neutral.

People have been using this site to look up the part numbers.

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and Accessories brought to you by Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta

People have been using this site to look up the part numbers.

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and Accessories brought to you by Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta

Find some threads with Starter rebuilding and there is some places that sell the parts like brushes and so on.
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

I searched through all of those earlier but didn't find anything specific to the 603 (Am I to assume that the procedure is similar to the 617 starter>)

Why did I not know of this???

FYI... I had a similar hard starting issue with my 87 wagon

I rebuilt the fuel thermostat (the heater is up by the oil filter) I replaced all the clear lines with new from the dealer, and I was about to replace all the delivery valves, when I noticed... there was fuel under the filter...

it turned out to be a pinhole in the bottom of the filter leaking out the fuel...

To answer the question posed in your thread title - YES. Pretty much all starters are rebuildable. We have a good starter/alternator shop here in town as do most towns of any size. They did my 617 starter for (IIRC) $100 USD. As long as the armature and case are OK they can freshen up the commutator, install new brushes and bushings, clean the whole mess, and make it right. The Bosch stuff is fairly common (compared to, say, Magnetti Marelli) so parts shouldn't be an issue.

If you can't find a shop contact Coastal Rebuilders in Wilmington, NC - they've always done great work for me. AND they guarantee their stuff.

Dan

Another of my summer goals is to replace all of the fuel lines of both the SDL and the Gwagen.

Figuring out which hose to order is the main problem at the moment.
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL Base Sedan - Fuel System - Page 1

A little bird told me that the metal lines under the car can be updated with a plastic line but I have yet to find any information on it.

I gave the info as a place it has places to buy parts.

This site has parts diagrams. Compar your Starter parts with the ones from that other Models that are in the Thread.
http://www.everythingbenz.com/z/epc-mercedes-parts-info-diagrams

Or you could go up there at the top of the page and look up your Starter and one of the older Models and and at least get a comparison of what the Exterior looks like.

I can say that My 82 Volvo Bosch Starter is similar to My 84 300D Mercedes Starter and that the general design is the same as AC Delco Starter generally used on USA Cars from the 1970 back to the 1960s.

Simple physics

Water in fuel sinks to the bottom of the filter (hence the reason the ports are on top).

Water eats steel jacket of filter and causes leak out the bottom.

I'm in a similar pickle. My starter got wet while fording a flooded street (actually got water inside the car too, not fun) and now the solenoid seems to be wonky.

Just figured out that the MB part number is 001 152 0010 for the solenoid which ** I think** is used on all OM60x engines from '86 to '99. I know it is used on my OM606 in my '95. That crosses over to a Bosch 0 331 303 151. Prices on line seem to vary from $86 if you can wait a month to $130 and up for stuff that is in stock. Local independent parts place can special order it for $110 and have it within 5 days, that will be my route.

Max - If you need it quicker check with your friendly local rebuilder. Most will sell parts as well as rebuild what you have. It's worth a try.

Dan

The starter is not rebuildable by you. If I recall correctly you can swap the solenoid for another one, but you can't rebuild to motor.

You need high amperage spot compression welder to join some wires in there.

Sorry for the bump but I've been insanely busy over the past few weeks but I should be able to get to this project shortly.

The motor turns over perfectly WHEN it decides to turn over. Usually it will just click but after the 3rd or 4th try it will usually start. The question now is finding just the solenoid for sale as opposed to replacing the entire motor.

(see below)

I'm going to give this a shot and try to find someone local who can supply me with the solenoid. Thankfully I have another dead 603 starter at home which I can play around with first to figure out how to do the job before playing with the good starter (With a bit of luck I might even be able to figure out how to do it without removing the starter itself :cool:) The real fun bit of course will be finding someone who will be willing to sell me just the solenoid.... (Never easy)

(And before it's mentioned, yes, I know to disconnect the battery first and take a picture of the wiring)

Most starter failures are due to solenoid contact faces pitted, worn out carbon brushes, sloppy bushings in it (mostly the nose cone one)

I have seen one or two burnt rotors in a starter due to being stuck on or being flooded with salt water. I have rebuilt a lot of them (in another life across the world)