I wanted to see if I could get some advice on my Tdi starting. This is for a 1997 Jetta Tdi if it matters. Since I bought the car (~15K miles ago), it grinds from time to time when I start it. My original thought was this was a problem with the ring gear and since I am planning to pull the engine out at some point, I would just wait to deal with it. It has been annoying at times, but will always turn over just fine after a few tries. The PO had another starter motor he pulled from a junk yard and I tried putting it in, but it wouldn't disengage and had the same problem.
I had the same issue on a Mercedes diesel several years ago. The mechanic said it was an issue with the ring gear, so he pulled it out and replaced it. The ring gear he pulled out looked to have no damage.
On an unrelated issue, I had been experiencing some starting problems on my 1986 F250 diesel V8. I had to glow the plugs longer than usual, and the thing would still have a hard time starting. I just figured it is an old truck, but eventually it just stopped starting. I put a rebuilt starter motor on it and it just jumps on from a cold start, now faster than my other diesel vehicles.
My original thinking was that if the starter motor was cranking the engine, it was fine. But, considering all of these starter motors are getting pretty old, what if there are differences in the quality of them as in the amount of torque + RPM they are producing? On some internet research, I did find some links that starter motor torque was a bigger issue for high compression engines as they produce more resistance.
I am wondering if anyone has looked into this. I wonder now if my starter may just be getting a little weak and is sometimes producing more power than other times. Is there any way to test this anywhere? I don't want to pull it and take it to an auto parts store and have them say it cranks so it is good. I also don't feel like spending the money to buy a "rebuilt" unit that is no better than what I already have.
h.ubk
I had the same issue on a Mercedes diesel several years ago. The mechanic said it was an issue with the ring gear, so he pulled it out and replaced it. The ring gear he pulled out looked to have no damage.
On an unrelated issue, I had been experiencing some starting problems on my 1986 F250 diesel V8. I had to glow the plugs longer than usual, and the thing would still have a hard time starting. I just figured it is an old truck, but eventually it just stopped starting. I put a rebuilt starter motor on it and it just jumps on from a cold start, now faster than my other diesel vehicles.
My original thinking was that if the starter motor was cranking the engine, it was fine. But, considering all of these starter motors are getting pretty old, what if there are differences in the quality of them as in the amount of torque + RPM they are producing? On some internet research, I did find some links that starter motor torque was a bigger issue for high compression engines as they produce more resistance.
I am wondering if anyone has looked into this. I wonder now if my starter may just be getting a little weak and is sometimes producing more power than other times. Is there any way to test this anywhere? I don't want to pull it and take it to an auto parts store and have them say it cranks so it is good. I also don't feel like spending the money to buy a "rebuilt" unit that is no better than what I already have.
h.ubk
Last edited: