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Starter problem after extended shutdown

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peteatgr

Senior Member
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I'm getting my 3000 BJ8 back to running after sitting in my garage for about 2 years. It ran fine and was driven into the garage when I put it away but now seems to be having a problem with the starter engaging. I have changed every fluid and filter, and have hand turned the engine with the plugs out and Marvel oil in the cylinders. The battery is well charged and when I turn the key I hear the starter rev up and turn but it sounds like the gear is not extending to engage the motor fly wheel to crank the engine. The starter sounds like it "overspeeds" (?) and does nothing else. Friends have advised me that the starter gear is simply stuck in its old grease which is not being overcome by the "starter spring" and to just keep trying it until it breaks loose. I'm just a bit fearful of doing some sort of damage to the starter by just repeatedly trying to start the car. I don't have a lift available so I'm hopeful that there is a way to remedy this without having to remove the starter. I think the car is ready to start if I can just get the starter to engage. Anyone have a good idea or a better description of my problem?
 
I think your friends are correct. You may be able to unstick the Bendix gear with a few quick spins of the starter, but it would be best to pull the starter--it's not that bad of a job--and clean the Bendix gear thoroughly. Last time I rebuilt my starter I just put some silicone oil on it and it hasn't given my any problems in over 100K miles.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
I think your friends are correct. You may be able to unstick the Bendix gear with a few quick spins of the starter, but it would be best to pull the starter--it's not that bad of a job--and clean the Bendix gear thoroughly. Last time I rebuilt my starter I just put some silicone oil on it and it hasn't given my any problems in over 100K miles.
Click to expand...
Tap the starter with a small pipe a couple of times. That should free up the Bendix.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
I think your friends are correct. You may be able to unstick the Bendix gear with a few quick spins of the starter, but it would be best to pull the starter--it's not that bad of a job--and clean the Bendix gear thoroughly. Last time I rebuilt my starter I just put some silicone oil on it and it hasn't given my any problems in over 100K miles.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I'll exercise it several more times and see what happens. The weather here in the NE has been much warmer than usual this week and maybe that will help soften the grease and free up the Bendix also. Is there any way to get a penetrating oil spray into the Bendix gear area from underneath without removing the starter? If not I guess it comes out.
 
Simple is good Patrick. It gets tapped this week.
 
You don't need a lift to remove the starter, only a jack to allow you to get under the car to undo the bolts. You can remove it from the top.
 
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