Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 23:53:46 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: Water in starter housing?
In-Reply-To: <41239FEF.14087.CB63CE6@localhost>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Shawn,
In the middle of the seam between the motor and the transmission
at the very bottom, there is a tiny machined slot or groove. This there
to let dirt, oil, dust, etc. out of the bellhousing area. If this is not
opened, any problems in the bell housing area will be kicked around
until it finds its way to the starter area. Get a coat hanger
and make sure this hole is opened. Now if you have a syncro, slot
is intensionally sealed with a small plug.
Eric 86-VW4x4
vw4x4@fyi.net 86-SS Syncro
Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
92-Jetta GWC
www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm
On Wed, 18 Aug 2004, Shawn Wright wrote:
> Since nobody weighed in on my last post, it seems I may have a unique problem with
> water in the starter. The bad news is the fix I did only lasted 4 days. I went to leave the
> inlaws for the long drive home, and it failed to start at the gas station. I drove 600 kms
> home push starting it, including the ferry trip... :-(
> Tonight I pulled it again, and found yet more water in the darn thing. It has not rained for
> weeks here, and I didn't even venture much off paved roads on this trip, so it's a bit of a
> mystery. There wasn't much more water, so I suppose it could have been residual that I
> did not get out the first time. The other bad news is the oil on the starter teeth, indicating
> that my new trans input shaft seal is leaking *again*. (I didn't replace the pilot bearing,
> since it looked fine, and only has 20k on it). I didn't plan on pulling the blasted trans
> again until I was ready for a diesel swap, so this is a definite bummer. :-(
>
> On 14 Aug 2004 at 12:37, Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA> wrote:
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > Part way through our 3 week trip, the starter in our '88 Westy started acting up
> > - just an intermittent click every so often, which I assumed was a bad
> > connection somewhere. Then, while enroute from Calgary to Salmon Arm, the
> > started died completely in the Rockies. Fortunately I was able to push start it.
> > I checked all the wiring, and was suspected a failed ignition switch, but it all
> > checked out. I pulled the starter, and found moisture in the end bushing cap...
> > hmmm. Then I pulled the long housing bolts and was shocked to find about 1/2
> > ounce of rusty water pouring out! The inside was totally corroded - it was
> > amazing that it had worked at all. I cleaned it all up, put it back together,
> > but the solenoid wouldn't pull. So I pulled it apart again, including the
> > solenoid (which was rusty also), put it back, and it worked. :-)
> >
> > I can think of two time when I could have got water in the starter - one in May
> > while crossing a creek, and one last September, on the same creek. The starter
> > would not have been submerged, but I supposed water could have entered the
> > bellhousing and got thrown in that way... Has anyone seen this problem before?
> > I'm wondering if drilling a drain hole might be a good idea, since the water can
> > get it, but doesn't seem to be able to drain out.
> >
>
> --
> Shawn Wright
> http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
> ~This message sent by Pegasus Mail, the safe E-Mail alternative~
> "Friends don't let friends use Outlook"
>
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