Eating through starters, flexplate?

[Dragupsplorer]

How's it going I have a 2000 Merc AWD 302 that has been through 4 starters since I've owned it for maybe 6 months. My theory is the flex plate and or the tc. Has anyone run into a starter a week? And has anyone changed these parts with a post here?

 

[Pete Deering]

How's it going I have a 2000 Merc AWD 302 that has been through 4 starters since I've owned it for maybe 6 months. My theory is the flex plate and or the tc. Has anyone run into a starter a week? And has anyone changed these parts with a post here?

No ,
I had a flex Plate fracture and that was cause by bad u-joints.
Did you replace flex plate too?
As for the starters.
1. Are they Using the right replacement starters?
2. Where the starters new part replacement?
3. where the starter shim properly or have the lash when install.
4. Is the flex plate fracture, and you are still driving the car around. Stop , starting the car?
Your ?, is a little general ? Not very clear.

 

[Dragupsplorer]

No ,
I had a flex Plate fracture and that was cause by bad u-joints.
Did you replace flex plate too?
As for the starters.
1. Are they Using the right replacement starters?
2. Where the starters new part replacement?
3. where the starter shim properly or have the lash when install.
Your ?, is a little general ? Not very clear.

Well I can only start generally. I can't say for sure how they are installing the starters. There are a sequence of events that happen before the new starter is installed.
1. Will start fine for up to 10 starts
2. Then there will be a metal on metal start
3 after that start there will be a... Almost oscillation, not a slip. The first time this happened it was very violent. This last time it went though the jerkyness then kept driving till I parked where again the starter died again.

The starters at the ones with the solenoid attached to the starter it self. My theory is that it over heats over time and the flex plate disengages or breaks the starter somehow either overheating the solenoid because I don't heat it engage and more or bending it plunger the solenoid operates by over heating the flex plate over time and I get the metal on metal start that breaks the starter. Then since the shop takes awhile to do the starter again the flex plate stiffens up.

I usually do my own work but it's my kids car so I sent it to the shop. I'm about to send it back for a tow fee to have another starter installed.

I either think my flex plate needs to be seriously looked at or if like a more robust starter installed? Should I have them fix it right away then drive it right to a trans shop to have them inspect the work? I would tackle the job if I knew for sure that it these were signs that the flex plate or tc were at fault. The engine runs great. We just replaced the whole front end shocks ball joints sway bar links. It drives great I was driving it all day yesterday running errands then I heard the one start and knew the starter was gone.

Thank you for the reply by the way.

 

[Turdle]

This seems like new territory to me.

Could be old original starter did damage, maybe a tooth missing on flex plate, or, a rounded out of shape. I think it's a 1 in 8 shot at the stop angle when engine stops after being shut off.

In other words, there are 8 places ( angles)
compression will stop the engine, 8 places ( angles)to start from, as the flex plate sees it.

Check direct messages

 

[Dragupsplorer]

This seems like new territory to me.

Could be old original starter did damage, maybe a tooth missing on flex plate, or, a rounded out of shape. I think it's a 1 in 8 shot at the stop angle when engine stops after being shut off.

In other words, there are 8 places ( angles)
compression will stop the engine, 8 places ( angles)to start from, as the flex plate sees it.

Check direct messages

I got that but after the "sound" there's no relay solenoid sound just dead twist of the key. If it was a broken spot or missing I feel like I'd hear some sound. I think the truck was sitting so long after a long trip that the flex plate after 25 years needs attention. I got ya I appreciate the reply like I said. I just don't want to be up the "professionals" ass but I guess I have to make a day with it there to look through the inspection window to make sure of the teefs and more so that the flex plate hasnt been flexed it's last flex

 

[Turdle]

^^^
Those are V6 engine flex plates

Yup, that I have seen here

 

[Pete Deering]

Well I can only start generally. I can't say for sure how they are installing the starters. There are a sequence of events that happen before the new starter is installed.
1. Will start fine for up to 10 starts
2. Then there will be a metal on metal start
3 after that start there will be a... Almost oscillation, not a slip. The first time this happened it was very violent. This last time it wentneeds to be seriously looked at or if

This happen along time ago for me. My flex plate fracture.
When I was driving I have a noise. With the engine idling, you hear the banging. I didn't know what was happening. I remove the dust shield, and look at the flex plate, rotating the engine by hand, inspect the flex plate, as it rotated.you can see the crack on the plate.
If the broken flex plate is damaged, and the Damage flex plate is damaging the starters.
The plate needs to stay true, when turning.
I think thats damaging the starter.
I Dont know your car. You might have too remove the starter too take a look at the flexplate.
Sign up for AAA ( triple A) for towing. No limit.
The cheaper plan has a distance limit.

Job

1. You need order the flex plate
2. Need to remove the transmission.

 

[Dragupsplorer]

How was it after you replaced it? Was there underlying trans or motor issues? Did it last long after

 

[Pete Deering]

How was it after you replaced it? Was there underlying trans or motor issues? Did it last long after

Every thing went fine. Still running twenty years+.
No, trans or motor issue. I don't remember if trans mount, needed to be replaced. I know I replace it.
I replace my u-joints. when I pull the trans that's when I saw those problem. I remember when I was driving too work in the morning, I use too drive up a long, low degree hill. I think that's when the problem surface. The stress of the bad u-joints, stress the flex plate, the torque converter had no issue.

 

[410Fortune]

The 302 has a torque converter cover on the bottom
Portion of the trans bellhousing you can get a really good look at your flexplate with that simple cover off
Or
Have the shop Stop using cheap reman starters (not likely)

 

[Dragupsplorer]

Thanks, my kids bought a starter himself and he's going to put it in and we're going to inspect it this time like we should have from the beginning. I appreciate the input from everyone.

 

[410Fortune]

5.0 starter is pretty easy (compared to the v6)
disconnect the negative battery terminal first before you mess with the starter unless you like sparks and fires/welding metal

the starter and bell housing access panel bolts should be 13mm
get a good amount of light under there for working and visual inspection of flexplate

a 15/16 deep socket is used on the front of the crankshaft (crank balancer) if you need to manually bar the engine over engines turn clockwise at the crank damper

 

[Dragupsplorer]

Right on thanks

 

[V8]

Most parts store reman electrical components are the spawn of the devil. I always buy new whenever possible.

You do need to check out the issues listed above first though.