Thinking wether to attempt starter or not???

Hi, I managed to fix my suspention pump all on my own but now the starter needs some gentle persuation with a hammer (yes a pink hammer) more or less each time I need to drive it! Can I attempt this job on my own or am I best to take it to the garage and get a mechanic in there to do the job? Looks like its a tight squeeze but I'd be happy to give it a go and notch another one up on my belt for the ladies

Diesel or Petrol??

They are both a pain to do, but the V8 more so than the Diesel!

She's the petrol version

If you have good tools, ratchet, long extensions, suitable sockets, maybe a wobbler. Why not. Take the worst bolt to get at out first.

go on have a go gal,you will need a hex head socket 10mm i think(allen key type) to get the difficult one out

laurasP38 said:

Hi, I managed to fix my suspention pump all on my own but now the starter needs some gentle persuation with a hammer (yes a pink hammer) more or less each time I need to drive it! Can I attempt this job on my own or am I best to take it to the garage and get a mechanic in there to do the job? Looks like its a tight squeeze but I'd be happy to give it a go and notch another one up on my belt for the ladies

Click to expand...

:hug: Thank you, thank you, thank you. After the last few episodes of 'I'm blonde I can't do it, I'm just a little female someone else do it, I'm small and female people are surprised I know how to press and accelerator hard*' and so on. I am so glad that there are some who don't want to play the 'I'm female card'.





* That one actually means 'people are petrified in a car with me as I drive like a d1ck'

TAXIMAN had a short thread recently about the trouble he ran into doing his starter. There's apparently one bolt that is very difficult to get to. Check that one out first and if your successful then the rest is plain sailing.
Remember to disconnect the battery before you start work. The starter has a direct, heavy feed from the battery so a slip can mean BIG sparks. So check your EKA code and radio code (if relevant) before you begin.

laurasP38 said:

Hi, I managed to fix my suspention pump all on my own but now the starter needs some gentle persuation with a hammer (yes a pink hammer) more or less each time I need to drive it! Can I attempt this job on my own or am I best to take it to the garage and get a mechanic in there to do the job? Looks like its a tight squeeze but I'd be happy to give it a go and notch another one up on my belt for the ladies

Click to expand...

If my mom was able to rebuild engines in the kitchen back in the 70's, I'm sure you can give your best shot at this.

What's the worst that could happen, take the difficult bolt out first and see how it goes from there.

I disagree.
Take out all the easy fixings first.
Then when it's hangin' by the last bolt there is more incentive to get it out.

Some times it can be an advantage to have small hands that can get into places that no other hands dare to venture

sovereign said:

I disagree.
Take out all the easy fixings first.
Then when it's hangin' by the last bolt there is more incentive to get it out.

Click to expand...

That just makes the difficult bolt impossible to get out and you have to give up and out the easy ones back

ovalandrover said:

Some times it can be an advantage to have small hands that can get into places that no other hands dare to venture

Click to expand...

Dislocated finger joints and wrists are also an advantage.

Thanks for the comments I'll have a go in a couple of week, won't need it for a while around that time so if anything does go wrong it will give me time to get it sorted professionally ( hopefully it won't come to that ) I'll post either way with piccys too lol x

laurasP38 said:

Thanks for the comments I'll have a go in a couple of week, won't need it for a while around that time so if anything does go wrong it will give me time to get it sorted professionally ( hopefully it won't come to that ) I'll post either way with piccys too lol x

Click to expand...

Good luck

Try putting the key in the ignition before you disconnect the battery as in my experience when this is done it doesnt lock you out - did mine a few weeks ago and it was tricky but you will be ok good luck

sandyt said:

Try putting the key in the ignition before you disconnect the battery as in my experience when this is done it doesnt lock you out - did mine a few weeks ago and it was tricky but you will be ok good luck

Click to expand...

Bad advice. Never do anything with the battery with the key in the ignition. Correct way to disconnect battery is to loosen but not remove negative lead. Switch ignition on and off. Remove key. And disconnect battery within 17 seconds. NEVER EVER reconnect battery with key in ignition and doors shut. Specially if it's the only key you have.

wammers said:

Bad advice. Never do anything with the battery with the key in the ignition. Correct way to disconnect battery is to loosen but not remove negative lead. Switch ignition on and off. Remove key. And disconnect battery within 17 seconds. NEVER EVER reconnect battery with key in ignition and doors shut. Specially if it's the only key you have.

Click to expand...

Yes, that was a funny day at college, a lad did just that and locked the only key in a car. Was also where I learnt to pinch a lock. Turns out it is really easy.