removing a starter motor

[ChrissieTwo]

As in my previous posts I have a dead starter motor and need to replace it, but wonder if anyone has done it before, if I cut off the top of the engine mount, remove the pressure sensor and oil filter will it squeeze out, the bolts are removed and starter motor is pulled back as far as I can, but its not free of the front casing yet,

 

[prv]

Wow, that's a bit of a crap design.

On mine I just have to remove two bolts holding the starter into the bell-housing, and it pulls straight out.

What engine is it?

Pete

 

[ChrissieTwo]

Its a Beta 14, Managed to get to the two bolts, and with an extension on the socket driver they are undone, but cant draw it back more than you can see, and cant bring it to the side, where the photo is taken from, prepared to angle grind head of the engine mount off, and remove oil filter and pressure sensor switch, but I am not confident that it will come out the still small gap,

 

[ChrissieTwo]

you know my boat, Black Pearl the Contessa 26, so tight space to work in

 

[DanTribe]

However you manage to do it, I recommend that you disconnect both battery leads before you start.
I have part of a ring spanner welded to my engine after removing my starter motor. [Beta 20].
Boat engines are designed by masochists, they leave almost, but not quite, enough room .

 

[prv]

you know my boat, Black Pearl the Contessa 26

Ah hah - hi Chrissie, didn't recognise your new account

I don't know Beta engines at all, so can't really help. But I wonder whether the other end of the mounting bracket can perhaps be removed from the engine? It looks from another picture online like it's bolted to the side of the engine with a couple of allen-head set-screws below the horizontal part of the bracket. Is there room between the bearer and the side of the sump to get a male hex "socket" on a ratchet in there? If you supported the sump and took the bracket away, there ought to be room to pull the starter out and down slightly?

Pete

 

[ChrissieTwo]

how did you get yours out? I know the 20 is a bit longer than the 14, but did you need to remove anything like the header tank? or other bits? The Live terminal disapeared in a copper oxide bloom, and the negative is off,

 

[ChrissieTwo]

The starter motor is unbolted, its just that there is no room to draw it out, I wondered about removing the bell housing but that would be a complete nightmare, lots of rusted bolts, and lots of bolts impossible to get to, I will have a look at the bracket, but I dont think I can get to its bolts without removing the starter motor. Beta use a different starter now, but I understand they have one old one left so have asked to buy that, but fitting it....

 

[ChrissieTwo]

this is as far in as I could get with a camera, is the box with the hex bolts the sump that Pete mentioned?

 

[DanTribe]

Crikey.
Removing the starter on a Beta 20 was a piece of cake compared to that!
Would it help to remove the oil filter and pressure sensor to give yourself a bit of wriggle room?
Try the simple stuff before major surgery.

 

[PaulRainbow]

You only need to remove the battery negative lead.

 

[PaulRainbow]

As in my previous posts I have a dead starter motor and need to replace it, but wonder if anyone has done it before, if I cut off the top of the engine mount, remove the pressure sensor and oil filter will it squeeze out, the bolts are removed and starter motor is pulled back as far as I can, but its not free of the front casing yet,View attachment 64318

Remove the sensor and filter and try then, it might just lift enough to clear the engine mount. There isn't much starter in the bell housing and they usually taper quickly.

 

[DanTribe]

Have you tried speaking to Beta?
I've found them quite helpful and patient.
Although they are used to working on engines on the bench!

 

[ChrissieTwo]

Have been in constant contact with them, as you say, they work on the bench and I think they think my engines been sat out in the sea for 8 years rather than in the engine compartment of my boat, it has aged very badly, Its more coroded than any I have surveyed They have now found one of their old starters, and I am hoping to buy it.

Going back to the boat Saturday armed with a battery angle grinder and a Dremmel, I will get it out somehow! but hoping the new one will be easier to get in. The picture shows it withdrawn as far as I could get it last week.
Wish me luck,

 

[DanTribe]

You only need to remove the battery negative lead.

Yes, usually, but not if you are daft enough to touch the spanner onto the DOMESTIC battery isolator!:ambivalence:

 

[Tranona]

Don't cut the mount off. That design "fault" is present on all marinisations of the small Kubota including my Nanni. Undo the screws holding the mount to the bearer and remove the bracket from the cylinder block. You will have to support that corner of the engine while you do it, but once you have the bracket and mount off the starter motor just slides out. fortunately I did it when my engine was newish so no rusty bolts - but the principle is the same.

 

[Grumpybear]

However you manage to do it, I recommend that you disconnect both battery leads before you start.
I have part of a ring spanner welded to my engine after removing my starter motor. [Beta 20].
Boat engines are designed by masochists, they leave almost, but not quite, enough room .

Errr... they are designed by sadists. Boat owners are the masochists...

 

[ChrissieTwo]

Tranona, Now that sounds promising, I will dose the nuts with a penetrating oil, and a bit of heat, hopefully my Big Bertha wrench will fit in enoughto undo it. Will study the pictures and give it a go,

 

[Ammonite]

Ive just replaced the starter on my 1995 Beta 20. Fortunately a piece of cake compared to yours. I tried speaking to Beta but they hadnt a clue which starter was fitted to the early models - the normally very knowledgeable staff seemed to have dissapeared on the two ocassions i called about it. In the end i tracked down the kubota part number which you can cross reference to a variety of after market options. These are way cheaper than Beta. In the end i paid about £100 but cant find the link i used at the moment. This should give you an idea though
www.startermotorman.co.uk/store.htm

 

[DickieT]

Don't cut the mount off. That design "fault" is present on all marinisations of the small Kubota including my Nanni. Undo the screws holding the mount to the bearer and remove the bracket from the cylinder block. You will have to support that corner of the engine while you do it, but once you have the bracket and mount off the starter motor just slides out. fortunately I did it when my engine was newish so no rusty bolts - but the principle is the same.

Yes, that's how I did mine. Easy enough, but admittedly no rusty bolts to contend with. Has to be easier though than trying to get an angle grinder in there.