Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2015 20:12:13 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Starter removal???
In-Reply-To: <CA+r=JhqAp7B1bbpXnisixOJGoeBrLRR0N9XrWskttxgUZn=gcA@mail.gmail.com>
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Just remove the air flow meter boot and use an open end wrench to loosen the nut. Then a short Allen key can be used to hold the bolt back while removing that nut. Hopefully that long bolt is not rusted to the cast iron bell housing. That can happen and it can make for a bad day.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Larry Alofs
Sent: Saturday, December 5, 2015 6:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Starter removal???
Bob,
I'm not sure whether your question is about how to access and attack that bolt or about it being very difficult to turn.
You need the proper metric hex bit to fit the socket head bolt. Then two
3/8 drive 6" extensions and a rachet should work. Or perhaps a breaker bar with optional pipe for more torque. Be sure that there is no debris in the head of the bolt; the bit must be in all the way. I believe that in some cases I have found myself below the trans with one arm coming up on one side to pull on the rachet handle and the other arm on the other side to brace the rachet head.
Rather than getting a rebuilt starter from a FLAPS, I would recommend taking your present starter to a reputable shop for rebuilding if you can find one. I did that about 10 years ago and that starter is still working fine without a relay, lately cranking a Subaru engine.
In general, I am in favor of the relay upgrade and have installed them in '76, '80, and '84 model VW vans. I have not done so yet in my '91 AT because of the possible interference with the cruise control. I have seen some posts from Mark Drillock that indicate that it can be a problem. The related circuitry in the Bentley is very "interesting".
Good luck,
Larry A.
On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 2:54 PM, Robert Clemmer <n51219@comcast.net> wrote:
> For several years now, occasionally my starter on my 91 2.1 automatic
> would not start. A light tap with a hammer and all is well. I'm
> getting ready to head south after Christmas so I wanted to fix this
> before I'm stranded in a rest area with a no start condition. My
> challenge is the top bolt/crown bolt on the starter that goes through
> the bell housing into the engine case.
> Any words of advice before I break this thing off and I have a real
> problem.
>
>
>
> Thanks Bob C
>