Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 02:57:55 -0400
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject: Re: "Hitachi" starter in a Vanagon - the real scoop
In-Reply-To: <000201c5a2e2$1d81c680$6400a8c0@masterpc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> This is a great bit of information here but you are missing
> two important benefits of the IMI unit. First, this is a
> fully self supported starter eliminating the need for the
> bushing in the transmission. Two, it draws considerably less
> current, (~1/2) of the standard starter allowing for improved
> cold weather starts. The solenoid is more reliable than the
> Bosch units also.
Point well taken, of course. Although in my experience, the Bosch design
works sufficiently even in cold weather. My Vanagons have always started
reliably down to the single digits, which is about as cold as it gets around
here. (Then again, maybe those who live in sub-zero climates would report a
different experience, a factor which I admittedly have not considered.)
I can't argue with you about a gear reduction starter's thoeretical
advantages. But I'm less convinced about cost/benefit. If a gear reduction
starter were the same price it would be a no-brainer; there's no downside.
But it's almost double the price. For that price difference (for those who
consider such things), the bottom line is, does its theoretical advantage
translate into a demonstrable "real world" benefit? Either a starter starts
the vehicle when you need it to, or it doesn't. If it does, then from a
"real world" standpoint it's as good as a starter that's ten times the
price. If it doesn't, then it's worthless. We sell a reasonable number of
starters, but I wouldn't call them a high-failure item compared to many
other Vanagon parts. As a rule, the original Bosch Vanagon starters seem to
do their job and last relatively long. When they don't, it's often due to
other factors (most commonly a poor quality rebuild) rather than due to the
inherent inadequacy of the design itself. (I've spoken to people whose
original Bosch lasted 10 years or longer, and then went through three
discount-store generic rebuilds in quick succession. That's not a design
flaw, it's a lousy rebuild.) For people who have had good luck with the
Bosch design until now, I'd think that a near doubling in price would seem
hard to justify. But for those Vanagon owners for whom the stock design has
proved inadequate (I was thinking high-compression engines, but I suppose
sub-zero temps could be another), it makes sense.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
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