Globalisation & starter motor

[srm]

Yanmar 2GM starter motor was making intermittent mechanical graunching sounds. These soon grew worse and stopped engine from turning under starting loads, but spun happily with de-compression leavers down.

Removed starter motor and found bearing bush at flywheel end worn and pushed half way out. All it needs is a new bush, so decided to change front end bearing at same time. Sounds simple? Read on.

Phoned Yanmar main dealer and spares stockist on south coast. Initial response – “everyone throws faulty starters away”. When I said all I needed was a little bronze bush and did not live in the affluence belt he offered to see if Yanmar listed starter parts. He found the flywheel end casting, but at a cost greater than a complete starter motor “they have never sold one”. He also found the front end cover listed, which presumably included the front end bushing at £17.50 but none in stock in Europe, “needs to be ordered from Japan”.

A firm specialising in refurbished motors and alternators offered a rebuilt starter, but declined to supply parts.

Am trying locally, but does anyone know a source for a soft bronze bearing bush. Shaft diameter 12.5mm, x 16mm outside dia.x 15mm length? As long as it costs less than £220 + p&p which is a new starter motor.

Globalisation? - there was a lot to be said for old fashioned “make do and mend”.

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

I think I'm correct in saying that what you are up against is the Japanese way of life, they don't repair they replace ! That is one of the reasons cited for the large amount of 'grey' imports in the car market, the Japanese buy a new car rather than repair an old one, plus they do it regularly so the imported cars arrive here with low mileage and good service history (remember they replace not repair) Having said that I have a jdm Toyota (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market)and if I need replacement parts my local Toyota UK dealer can get them for me within two weeks, and the cost is not prohibitive. So ask for a quote to get one from Japan, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck either way, Mal

 

[aztec]

try your local lucas service uk most have facilities to repair.

or try your local bearing suppliers (google or yello pages list them). you may have to ream to get the right fit but for the cost of a pint or two a local engineering firm will do it.

the other alternative is to have a phosphor bronze bush made, not usually too expensive.

hope this helps.

 

[Norman_E]

Are you sure that the shaft is OK? The common situation when a steel shaft runs in a bronze bush and the lubrication fails, is that the bush picks up any available grit and scores the shaft. The bush itself will wear out, but if replaced on its own, the new one will be rapidly worn by the scored shaft.

 

[srm]

Thanks for your comments.

Have just been up to our local agricultural engineers and VW mechanics, but their computerised spares system only works by part numbers and gives no indication of sizes.

Shaft appears OK, we have measured it with a digital gauge. Starter motor bearing is not lubricated so failure was not disasterous. In fact we have put the old bush back in and can only feel a little play so it should continue to work for a while.

On the positive side not having a starter gives me an excuse to sail in and out of the marina, but am wary of the wind falling away in the harbour entrance as I don't want to be flushed through Hoy Sound and into the Atlantic stern first!

 

[andy_wilson]

I can feel another 'benefit of having a Volvo-Penta' rant coming on here.

Instead, take it to a back street starter motor / alternator re-manufacturer.

Mine matched me an alternator at £80 for a re-manufactured VALEO 80Amps, in place of the 60Amps original, which was rust affected due to a leak.

Advised me that, similarly, they should be able to re-furb the starter motor in any respect for £40-£100 dependent upon what was needed (from brushes to bearings to windings to everything).

 

[aztec]

if the bush is ok, can't you refit it and "peen" the casing to fix it?

or maybe use some loctite bearing fit... that'll hold the little devil!

 

[TheoSr]

Re: Globalisation & starter motor

If you just needs the bearing look e.g. at this site http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/skf/skf168.html.
Otherwise google for "sintered bronze bearings". These are standard parts that can be lathe turned to fit if needed.
Good luck,
Theo.

 

[Rick]

Re: Globalisation & starter motor

Simple advice - visit an auto electrician. To best of my knowledge Yanmar don't make starter motors - like my old Volvo - new Volvo starter $1,800 - reman Toyota Corolla starter $105 ......

 

[srm]

Thanks for all the helpful comments.

Finally found a suitable bush locally and fitted it. A lot cheaper than a new starter!!