Please Help

Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

I'm now out of ideas and so is my mechanic lol!

Have a problem where the car will fail to start when hot! When you turn the key the engine sounds really really tight when hot and just will not fire. It's fine when cold, it'll not start after a run, leave it for an hour or so and it starts no probs. Originally the starter motor went and was changed but this hasnt solved it. It then went in for new earths and a clean of all the connections still no luck. The only other thing I can say is that when my starter motor was changed the mechanic discovered I've got a Renault 21T gearbox in my valver!!!

Any ideas? anyone? Would appreciate it very much.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

you don't have a r21 box in your valver, sounds like you need a better mechanic that knows what hes on about.

Sounds like a starter problem, if the engines not cranking over quick enough the ECU will not power up so it won't start. If the car will bump start then that further proves the problem.

No doubt the heatshield is missing as well, the starter will be overheating, it can either go open circuit inside when hot or the commutator can swell causing it not to turn/turn slowly.

Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

I found it strange when he said it was a 21 box but he's certain of it. I think i'll get myself a new mechanic! He claims he had to grind the starter motor down to mate correctly as it was in at an angle due to the box being a 21 box, i aint got a clue.

It bump starts no prob at all, I'm not the brightest with cars m8 and I know it must get to you with some stupid questions asked.

What do u suggest I do to sort this out?

Thanks again,

Jon.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

chk see if the heatshield is on the starter

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well the 21T engine is longitudally mounted, its basically a transxle. To fit it would mean rotating the 16V lump through 90 degrees and it would poke out the front.

Like I and JB said the starter heatshiled will most likely be missing which will be your problem. Its held on by 2 10mm bolts. These are both accessable when lying over the engine.

Due to the engine design the starter sits right beside the exhaust downpipe so it gets quite hot on journeys.

As for grindign the starter down, sounds like he didn't know there was a locating dowel, now theres 2 positions for it, some starters use one the rest the other. This means the starter won't mesh right or it will not tighten up fully and sit at an angle.

Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Thank you very much for explaining that to me, much appreciated.

I'll sort the heatshield and hopefully that will solve my prob.

Thanks again,

Jon.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

and get a different mechanic