Lucas M45G Starter Motor (Perkins 4.107)

[blackfish]

After a flooding of engine compartment I'm trying to service the starter motor which has been full of oily seawater and is obviously fairly 'gunked-up'. I've removed the two through bolts, but the back plate doesn't seem to want to come off easily. Does anyone know whether I need to remove the brushes first or should it come straight off without hindrance?

 

[Refueler]

Like many - mine got 'dripped' on leaky fuel return pipe. It kept working ... I never knew till one day shining the light into the "black-hole" checking all was ok and noted it was shining back at me !.
I took mine to a local Auto Electrics place ... couple of hours had it back and think it cost about 10 - 15 quid for the clean up.

As to taking it apart ????

 

[l'escargot]

It should come off without removing the brushes first. I had mine rebuilt last year, it was about £200.

 

[Cliveshep]

They need a "thump", preferably from a leather faced hammer, as the ends are a pressed tolerance fit into the casing.

You'll need to rinse ALL the salt out before drying off slowly, VERY slowly! Re-assemble same way, line up screw holes and thump together and try it!

Edit: do NOT lubricate the bendix other than with a sheen of very light oil and if it is at all worn buy and fit a new one now once you have "proved" the electrical working of the motor. It shouldn't need any more than a clean, bearing lubrication and drying out before re-assembly.

 

[William_H]

I can't be sure but in addition to approaching the end cap with a carefully calibrated bashometer you might find that wires are soldered from the end cap /brushes to the field coil. It might be easier to remove the end opposite to the brushes and slide the armature out in that direction.
olewill

 

[pampas]

Lift all four brushes from their boxes, then tap firmly end at equal points around the end cap flange to release, to be honest if you have never done this sort of work before I would as suggested take it to a auto electrical repairs work shop from whence it should be returned looking as new. for the DIY folk the hardest bit will be getting all the bits , solenoid end cap and soldering two brushes to the coils . Have a go if you feel competent thats how to learn. best of luck. Gordon

 

[2Tizwoz]

There is a workshop manual for the engine available here which has a good exploded diagram and description of the starters.

 

[blackfish]

Thanks to everyone so far. I've managed to get the end plate off and have rinsed everything through with fresh water. The internals look to be in fairly good order, with plenty of 'meat' left on the brushes. I'll give the commutator a bit of a clean and put it back together when dry and see what happens. Failing that I suppose it's off to the electrician!.

 

[2Tizwoz]

The starter contactor presumably was flooded and contacts will require cleaning. Battery switches are often at low level also.

These things may appear to be ok initially but will burn and deteriorate quickly if they have become corroded.