15 replies to this topic

[AndrewT]

My starter motor is just spinning and won't engage. Battery is fine so I took the motor apart and tried moving the pinion by hand but it wouldn't budge so is probably seized. The car has been stood for a few months.

Does this look beyond saving?

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[weef]

Hi,  strip the Bendix gear off and inspect/clean. Hopefully just seized with sitting, you can probably still buy new gear assembles. You will need a special tool to remove the shaft clip. On reassembly lubricate using a "dry lube" graphite based product, this prevents the clutch dust sticking to the gear helping to give trouble free operation. 

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

There are 3 windings on the internals, if just one is burnt out, that's it -  had it

 

Sometimes - can be the carbon bushes, but these starter motor things are pretty good - if it has a weld mark down the one side - it is a recon unit - and maybe had it again

 

Try cleaning the spindle and gear unit with WD but do not oil the unit. Oil will attract all the fibres from the clutch plate and it will stick again

 

Clean the lot up - and get the pinion gear to run on it,s own by pulling the pinion back and forth and getting it to return - Same as having a Barclays !!!!!!

 

If it does successfully - clean away all the WD - let it dry -  and then use a high HB grade pencil (HB9) and rub the shaft with the pencil - lead is the lubricant you need - not oil

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

But pencils are unleaded.

[AndrewT]

The motor is fine and spins up freely, it's just the pinion that won't move at all. Even with some gentle persuasion with a hammer.

When I lived in Oz there I swore by a penetrating spray called H72 Reducteur. Honestly this stuff would free up the most seized of bolts in no time. What's the best UK equivalent to soak it in these days?

[nicklouse]

Does look a bit rusty that. Change it.

[Magneto]

Just get some penetrant on the shaft and Bendix - any will do. Once you get it freed up use dry lube as above. Nothing wrong that a good clean up won't fix.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

PlusGas is one of the better penetrants.

[Cooperman]

Just get some penetrant on the shaft and Bendix - any will do. Once you get it freed up use dry lube as above. Nothing wrong that a good clean up won't fix.

 

This. There is no problem with the motor, just unstick the bendix and lubricate it with a fine oil and then wipe any excess off before re-fitting

[gazza82]

 

and then use a high HB grade pencil (HB9) and rub the shaft with the pencil - lead is the lubricant you need - not oil

 

Did you mean graphite?

[DeadSquare]

 

 

and then use a high HB grade pencil (HB9) and rub the shaft with the pencil - lead is the lubricant you need - not oil

 

Did you mean graphite?

 

 

For over 50 years, I have always used graphite.

 

I was given a puffer at a locksmith's convention in 1965, and I hope I don't empty it before I die.

[AndrewT]

Thanks for the replies.

I've acquired some Plusgas and will give that a go at the weekend. If that doesn't free it then it's time for a new one.

[A-Cell]

Plus gas, 24 hours, bit of gentle persuasion with a hammer.
More plus gas, more time. Some heat.

[Cooperman]

Be confident. It will free off without too much force, then it just needs a small amount of fine lubricant which can then be dried off as much as possible.

Test it on the bench before fitting. 

This was/is a common problem with inertia starters on classic cars left standing for a while.

[weef]

Just strip the Bendix gear off the shaft and be done with it