12 replies to this topic

[Rubbershorts]

Hi everyone. I'm not 100% sure of the rules but my latest thread has morphed through quite a few problems and probably should be sesperate posts to be of any future use to anyone. If it counts as a double post, then mods,take it down.

Short story. I purchased a Minispares starter motor to replace the Lucas one I'm having problems with. When fitted it pushes against the fly wheel body and stops the engine from rotating. One pic shows the gap, when fitting it, where it first hits the fly wheel (note the gap). The wheel rotates at this point but you can hear it grinding against the motor body. When snugged up it completely stops any rotation.
The picture of both motors shows how much extra material there is at the point it rubs on the new. There's a fair bevelled out area on the Lucas.

I've emailed MS and they usually reply pretty promptly so I'm expecting a response sometime tomorrow. In the meantime,has anyone had this issue? And if so, what are my options?

Cheers, Darren.

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Edited by Rubbershorts, 27 November 2024 - 07:25 PM.

[colinf1]

I think Keith on classic mini workshop on YouTube had this exact issue on his racing green project...

[Rubbershorts]

I think Keith on classic mini workshop on YouTube had this exact issue on his racing green project...

Ah, nice to know, cheers Colin. How would I find it quickly? Daz.

[Spider]

For the faffing about, if it were me, I'd machine that bit off the new starter motor. Perhaps it's not right, but by the time it went back and forth for what I see as a minor fitment issue, you could be enjoying the car for a few extra weeks. I do know Mini Spares are usually quite good with resoling issues.

 

 

Hi everyone. I'm not 100% sure of the rules but my latest thread has morphed through quite a few problems and probably should be sesperate posts to be of any future use to anyone. If it counts as a double post, then mods,take it down.

 

A separate thread I would suggest is best. Not everyone (like me) reads the build threads as they get quite long.

[Rubbershorts]

For the faffing about, if it were me, I'd machine that bit off the new starter motor. Perhaps it's not right, but by the time it went back and forth for what I see as a minor fitment issue, you could be enjoying the car for a few extra weeks. I do know Mini Spares are usually quite good with resoling issues.
 
 

Hi everyone. I'm not 100% sure of the rules but my latest thread has morphed through quite a few problems and probably should be sesperate posts to be of any future use to anyone. If it counts as a double post, then mods,take it down.

 
A separate thread I would suggest is best. Not everyone (like me) reads the build threads as they get quite long.

Hi Spider, yes, I thought a new thread would keep things more bitesize, thanks for the confirmation.

Good suggestion regarding the machining, if I could machine. No skills, no equipment. Also no mini weather here, and Minispares have already dispatched a replacement. What I've seen so far their customer service is awesome. No waiting for item to be returned before a replacement is sent. Arriving Monday. Apparently it's a problem with this starter. They didn't say if it was just mine or this model in general though.

[colinf1]

I think Keith on classic mini workshop on YouTube had this exact issue on his racing green project...

Ah, nice to know, cheers Colin. How would I find it quickly? Daz.

Here's the link https://youtu.be/EPYm4AfNfwM

[Rubbershorts]

I think Keith on classic mini workshop on YouTube had this exact issue on his racing green project...

Ah, nice to know, cheers Colin. How would I find it quickly? Daz.

Here's the link https://youtu.be/EPYm4AfNfwM

Brilliant, cheers Colin. I had a scroll through his content yesterday but couldn't find it.

[Rubbershorts]

I think Keith on classic mini workshop on YouTube had this exact issue on his racing green project...

Ah, nice to know, cheers Colin. How would I find it quickly? Daz.

Here's the link https://youtu.be/EPYm4AfNfwM

Interesting that he just goes straight ahead and modified his. I've messaged to ask where he bought it.

[Kevybmini]

I had a similar problem with a high torque starter motor but not reaching the flywheel. No one could help, Minispares - MED - Powerlite 

 

Had it machined by skidmore.motorsport on instagram 

 

Pictures of mine on instagram oldenglishmini 

[beardylondon]

This might be of interest, this happened to me a few years ago, MS starter motor broke after 200 miles, over a few years…

https://www.theminif...-starter-motor/

After some nudging, MS did in the end refund me, as I was initially advised to buy a new one, and they’d investigate. Anyway the replacement has been fine since.

Edited by beardylondon, 12 December 2024 - 10:59 PM.

[Rubbershorts]

This might be of interest, this happened to me a few years ago, MS starter motor broke after 200 miles, over a few years…

https://www.theminif...-starter-motor/

After some nudging, MS did in the end refund me, as I was initially advised to buy a new one, and they’d investigate. Anyway the replacement has been fine since.

Thanks Beardy, that's is of some use as it looks just like the replacement MS sent me. Starts and works fine now but as you mentioned it sounds different to my original motor. Understandable I suppose. They were straight on it when I contacted them, saying it was an issue with this particular motor, and a new one came next day. The replacement was a bit more compact and the solenoid was placed better for fitment with the dizzy cap. I asked if the faulty one was to be returned but they said chuck it in the bin.

[Lplus]

 

This might be of interest, this happened to me a few years ago, MS starter motor broke after 200 miles, over a few years…

https://www.theminif...-starter-motor/

After some nudging, MS did in the end refund me, as I was initially advised to buy a new one, and they’d investigate. Anyway the replacement has been fine since.

Thanks Beardy, that's is of some use as it looks just like the replacement MS sent me. Starts and works fine now but as you mentioned it sounds different to my original motor. Understandable I suppose. They were straight on it when I contacted them, saying it was an issue with this particular motor, and a new one came next day. The replacement was a bit more compact and the solenoid was placed better for fitment with the dizzy cap. I asked if the faulty one was to be returned but they said chuck it in the bin.

 

I wonder if their supplier sent MS a starter for a different engine by mistake, since the size and solenoid location were different.

[Rubbershorts]

 

 

This might be of interest, this happened to me a few years ago, MS starter motor broke after 200 miles, over a few years…

https://www.theminif...-starter-motor/

After some nudging, MS did in the end refund me, as I was initially advised to buy a new one, and they’d investigate. Anyway the replacement has been fine since.

Thanks Beardy, that's is of some use as it looks just like the replacement MS sent me. Starts and works fine now but as you mentioned it sounds different to my original motor. Understandable I suppose. They were straight on it when I contacted them, saying it was an issue with this particular motor, and a new one came next day. The replacement was a bit more compact and the solenoid was placed better for fitment with the dizzy cap. I asked if the faulty one was to be returned but they said chuck it in the bin.

 

I wonder if their supplier sent MS a starter for a different engine by mistake, since the size and solenoid location were different.

 

Could be.  Although, "Already claimed from supplier", was the quote when I asked for return details. Obviously not worth the hassle for MS to return to sender.