240D starting troubles and starter replacement question

[enginenr9]

For a while now it would take a few attempts to start my 83 240D. Recently though, it's gotten to the point where it takes a dozen or so turns of the key before the car finally starts. Most of the time it just whirrs, and a few times the engine will start to turn a little, and then give out.


This is a starter problem right? I replaced the glow plugs and battery less than 6 months ago.

assuming this is the case, i have the day off friday so i was planning on replacing the starter. offhand what kind of tools do i need? ive got a lot, just want to make sure i've got anything i could possibly need.

[whunter]

That sounds like a gummed up or failing starter solenoid.

You should be happy with a new starter.




Have a great day.

[hockeynut]

Easy job on a 240 (not as tight as on a 300) Make sure you disconnect the battery before you start. If I remember right, I got one of the bolts from below and the other from above.

Will make a world of difference starting. Also...make sure you get the higher rated starter for the 300D as opposed to the 240D - they spin faster. Some reman companies only make them to the 300D spec anyway - just check it out.

[sokoloff]

Really easy on the 240D. Can do the job in under an hour easily. Took mine out from below. Had to maneuver it a bit to get it out/in, but it wasn't too bad at all.

Len
'83 240D 345,000 miles original owner

[enginenr9]

Well I spent all day on it and I didn't finish. The first hurdle was half of the old starter's bracket breaking off. Took a while to unscrew the lose half from the cable that connects to the battery.

Then I hit a wall trying to install the new starter...the top engine mount bolt doesnt want to go in all the way. It gets to where theres about 1/4 an inch left to go and it's too tight to continue, even with a breaker bar. Bottom one goes in no problem. I tried switching bolts, re-positioning the starter, cleaning the bolt threads and the starter threads, all with no luck. It started raining so I had to give up.

Am I doing some thing wrong, or did I just get a poorly threaded rebuild? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[sokoloff]

Is it a Bosch rebuild?

Len

[enginenr9]

Yeah, it's a Bosch rebuild.

I got the bolt cleaned and notched from the starter place... got everything in and put back together.

The new problem is, nothing changed!! The new starter still spins freely most of the time. What could the problem be??

[whunter]

Originally Posted by enginenr9

Yeah, it's a Bosch rebuild.

I got the bolt cleaned and notched from the starter place... got everything in and put back together.

The new problem is, nothing changed!! The new starter still spins freely most of the time. What could the problem be??

All I can think of is a broken flywheel.

[P.E.Haiges]

enginenr9,

Did U check the ring gear for missing teeth?

P E H

[enginenr9]

Strangely enough, taking the car out all day yesterday and today so far, the starter caught everytime. Is it possible that the rebuilt starter was just getting "broken in" for the first half dozen or so engages?