i think i know the problem but....

[Dougieboy1]

last few months, the clio has been harder to start, starter turning more slowly. Thought it was the battery due to cold and lack of use. Bought a new battery. Seemed a bit better but started to slow again.

Bought a ctek to keep the battery topped up in the cold weather. Started this morning, seemed ok. Went to the village shop. Was really slow to turn over when i restarted. Went to the supermarket and when i came out it was really really slow to start.

Got home, turned it off. Tried a restart, there was some whirring and brrrrrring and then nothing. Tried again, just a click, presumably the solenoid.

Am assuming that the starter has gone - the battery is 12.44v so fully charged.

I am lucky enough to have a lift at home so i pushed it up onto that - boy is it heavy for a small car!!

So 1 hernia later, it is hoisted. I havent started to take anything off yet but i am guessing that my starter has gone. I seem to recall a quote from Kett in another thread that the coils and the starter are both weak points of the v6....

So before i start taking it apart, i presume there is general agreement the starter is knackered?

I also read that there is a more heavy duty starter you can fit? Am all for that. Anyone know what it is so i can order one, presumably from Renault.

Also, has anyone fitted a lightweight hi-torque starter? i have on some other cars and as they tend to be smaller, they fit back in small spaces more easily....

Thanks

Andrew

 

[ed_harland]

Yes starter
You need a starter with the magnets bolted on not glued like the original.
I bought one from Renault some years ago it was upgraded to bolts but slightly larger than the original, fitted ok though.
I'm sure theres a lot of info on here though if you do a search.

 

[jps]

Sorry to hear your starter has gone Andrew

Out of interest, how long will these roughly last for? Is it now standard practice to replace every so often to prevent them eventually not starting the car?

 

[Jamesv6]

Yes like the ignition coils, the starter replacements were much better.

 

[Szabotage]

Valeo is OEM but for bolt magnets you can consider AS PL https://en.as-pl.com and they do have a 1.3 kW and a higher 1.5 kW

 

[Dougieboy1]

drained the oil and got the oil filter off. Dont have a 27mm spanner so the process ground to a halt whilst i wait for one to be delivered. Have a 27mm socket but cant get it in the space with the ratchet on....

Sure is a tight fit up there!!

Szabotage, the link in your post doesnt work for me. Is there an error in it?

I will probably call Scott tomorrow and order a better starter through him.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[rustedandrotten]

The original Valero starter has bonded magnets which, as with all epoxies, harden and shrink due to time and heat, magnets break loose, starter fails Speaking to Henkel in Munich, they were surprised but looking at the location on the vee realised the duty was probably beyond the design. Best bet is to get one with bolted magnets such as the Bosch unit :approve: :approve:

 

[Szabotage]

The link works for me. Alternatively you can try:

https://www.facebook.com/asplcom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxd_Z0ocJU0

If you need to look for Bosch yourself this may help.

Bosch 0986023480 1.3 kW
Bosch 0986018531 1.4 kW (this is service exchange/re manufactured)

AS-PL S3085 1.3 kW
AS-PL S3056 1.5 kW

AS-PL does not have refurbished unlike Bosch which may service exchange and may be difficult to find in stock. Bosch is also two to three times more expensive.

 

[Dougieboy1]

My god this is a painful process. If i wasnt in lockdown, not sure i would find the time.

Since the weekend before last when the starter packed up, car up on the lift. Replacement starter delivered from Scott, one with bolted in magnets. Using the helpful 'How To guide', i managed to get all the old bits off. I have to say that without a 4 post lift or similar, i am not sure how you would do this on axle stands!!!!

As at yesterday and provably 6 hrs in over the week, the new starter is fitted. All the shields are back on but i cant get the final bolt in the top of the pre-cat shield. You cant see it as it is completely hidden round the back of the pre cat. I must have spent 30 minutes failing to get it into place yesterday by feel alone by which time my hands were frozen and my temper was frayed - precisely the time when frustration breeds mistakes you later regret when something has broken/sheared/jammed. So i packed it in.

I may have another bash this evening as i suddenly have 2hrs every evening that i dont spend commuting - yes, i commute 4 hrs a day under normal circumstances. So i am loving the lock down, saving a ton of cash and time and getting through jobs around the house/garage [cmilie=iconcheers.gif]

 

[Szabotage]

Out of curiosity what brand is the starter and do you know how many watts it is?

 

[Dougieboy1]

its an original renault starter but other than that, i have no idea about its workings.

I asked Scott for a better replacement and i fitted what he sent me.... sorry i cant be more helpful......