Topic: Starter gear
in Forum: C3 Engines
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When I replaced my starter last week, I was able to take one picture (before my camera battery died) and this is what I saw.
This is where the starter hook-up.
Am I in trouble, or a little bit of wear like that is okay ?
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You may want to take a file and clean up the edges of the teeth a bit. That will help it's longevity quite a bit. After that, if it works, use it.
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Well, there is a little bit of a issing sound now, but not when I press the brake pedal (weird)!
So if I want to clean the edge of the teeth, the only way is to get the starter out (again...) ? And can I turn the flywheel by hand ?
Thanks!
Yep, the starter has to come out. But if it's working and not making odd noise when cranking, leave it the way it is.
You can turn the flywheel by hand using a screwdriver to push/pry it around. Or you can put a socket on the front crank bolt and turn it with a ratchet or breaker bar.
It's hard to define odd noise, because it sounds so different now with a new starter, but I think it's a good sound. It turns SO much faster.
What I will do, is keep it in mind and next time I have to do something that area, I'll take advantage of being there and go clean that up.
I still don't understand why it would do that in the first place. Looking at the picture, the "wound" looks fresh.
Is it possible that I did that when I blew up the previous starter ?
Yes, when the starter drive does not fully engauge it will do that very quickly. When the drive is worn but working, it can do it more slowly. About the only other cause is trying to start the car with it already running, but that would go most of the way around the flywheel, so not the case here. Just good old fashioned wear. Quite common really.
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Looks like someone tried to start the car while it was already running!! We're all friends here, you can admit it! 
It don't look too bad to me, but you could drop the dust cover off and get to it to file/grind the teeth clean, rather than pulling the starter again. It should last a while. 
It don't look too bad to me, but you could drop the dust cover off and get to it to file/grind the teeth clean, rather than pulling the starter again. It should last a while. Joel Adams
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in Forum: C3 Engines
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