Starter motor woes.

[Sundowner]

Hello,

I am having a problem with my 110 3.5 Landy starter motor. I use this vehicle as a tour vehicle driving along a dirt track and through a creek a couple times. The creek isn't too deep, but we do splash through the creek to give people a bit of a thrill.

So this brings me to my problem. I have gone through 4 starter motors in a very short period of time. The last one we sealed right up, and alas, it has lasted about three weeks! Has anyone got a solution to my problem? (apart from stopping the splashing!)

I am very surprised that my vehicle doesn't like water. I also run a series 111 with the standard 6 cylinder along the same road, and don't have a problem at all.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

whats actually happening to the starter motors when they fail......?

they seize up......?
they click but dont crank......?
they spin but dont throw out......?

the ones you have replaced may not be stuffed......?

[Sundowner]

They just do the click thing. The ones I have had you can't just replace the solenoid. When we take them apart they have had water inside. They do not go through water that is very high, only about 30cm at the most at the moment. Like I say though, they do get splashed. We thought with the last one that we sealed it up well enough. But today.... click!

I haven't had a genuine one yet though, maybe this will be the solution. Or I may have to make a splash guard somehow. I was hoping that someone would have worked out a solution from previous experience. I am sure that there are many 110's that have to contend with water.

Cheers.

[nedflanders]

The starter should take more abuse than that, try a volt drop in case its an earth issue instead, could be something as simple as an engine earth strap with high resistance. You have fitted bell housing plugs?

[Bearman]

More than likely it will be caused by steam from the nearby exhaust pipe. Try having another go at sealing the starter particularly the solenoid assembly. If you are getting a click and nothing else most likely it is the solenoid contacts not contacting (if you get what I mean). Exhaust heat wrap around the exhaust pipe probably would help but this does contribute to corrosion of the pipe over the long term. If all else fails, go slower through the water:D

[Yorkshire_Jon]

My guess would be a bad earth / knackered earth strap somewhere. With a new starter you have no crud on the solenoid contacts and hence just enough current, resistance and voltage to crank.

Add a bit of crud and it tips the balance out I your favour.

Any starter motor should stand up better than your experience.

R
J

Sent using Forum Runner

[Sundowner]

Just to finally put this one to bed, I will get another starter and go overboard on sealing it up. Has anyone got a preference of one brand of starter over another for the 3.5?