Important Questions

[British Bob]

Dont know on the oem thing, sorry.

Thanks for the comment.

BB

 

[Heavy Duty]

Hi,

The car in its current condition starts very well when cold but as the engine gets up to running temp it gets harder and harder to start.

If u leave it to cool down, say 2 hours in this case it starts fine again.

The mechanic says that I must have a faulty (new) starter motor that is being affected by the heat build up. any thoughts?

This sort of makes sence as when the starter motor was fitted it started the car 6 times on the trot. after I had driven about 4 miles , I stopped to get fuel and it refused to start. when I got home I went out every hour and it started every time. drove to work the next day and would not start when i stopped and tried to re start it.

Would a heat sheild work?

BB

Bob,
yes on the starter and yes on the heat shield. Corvettes are not known for great cooling and with the close confines of the engine and the close confines of the starter with the exhaust, you can easily cook a starter motor. I am not sure, but I think most of the vettes do come with starter heat shields. So may be someone can here can answer that question. If not, perhaps the vette starters are made from better heat resistent material.

Sounds like you are on the right track. What I would do is try a NEW starter that is recommened for the vette. Also, check the parts list to see if a heat shield is listed. since i have yet to have any starter problems, I haven't noticed if a heat shield is used.

On a side note, I have an '89 SAAB Turbo 900 and it does have a heat shield for both the starter and the battery.

Good luck and don't give up.

H.D.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I agree with HD.

If it's not an Original Manufacturers Equipment rated starter it can get heat soaked(that's what I call it).Also if your timing is too far advanced it will not start the same when hot.

 

[British Bob]

Thank you both.

I am just thankfull that my engine is alright, couldnt sleep last nite thinking about it!

BB

 

[tlong]

Important question to you: Can you order parts from the catalogues there or over the net from Ecklers, Mid America etc.? I don't know if they are international but that is the way to go.

There is a starter heat shield boot for your car. Go GM on the new starter. Good luck and please finish this saga with some good news.

 

[British Bob]

Hi,

Yea use ecklers all the time and was gonna this time for the starter motor, but my trusty mechanic assured me that he could and would get me one. It was pretty much the same price so I said yes!!!!!

Ecklers service to me has been great, will never not use them again.

Thanks for the advice on the heat shield, will look it up in their new catalougue that has just arrived.

Cheers

BB

I am sure , now that this story will end on a positive note. The last 2 days have cost a lot of dosh with the man hours of fault finding that has been done and the engine flush. Still all worth it in the end.

The next problem is to find out how to get my heater working in the car again. think that i have a loose conection cause the blower comes on every now and again. need to find out where abouts in the consol the connection is to check. any ideas.

 

[Jack]

I too think the starter is not so good. I second or third the suggestion to replace the starter and to install a heat shield. If you get a starter from a late model GM pickup truck (V6 or V8) it will have the planetary gear design that offers superior cranking torque but overall it is smaller starter and easier to shield. Same type starters are sold in Summit & other racer catalogs ... new they go for about $125-$250 USD. Most are based on a jap Hitatchi design ... they're very good.
JACK:gap

 

[British Bob]

Thanks Jack.

BB

 

[tlong]

I wouldn't pay a thin sixpence for any labor based on a FUBAR starter they used. You should give them a bill for the three hours used to type on the CAC to get this situation right!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I guess in the meantime, once you start the Vette, don't shut it off unless you plan on cooling for 2 Hrs. or carry a CO2 fire extinguisher and give it a cool shot.:L

 

[Heavy Duty]

Bob...are you still there? Hope the troubles with the vette didn't drive you off into the deep end.


Lets know how this juicy affair turns out.

H.D.

 

[Mr. Peabody]

Hi Bob,

One of the things that I have learned to do over the years when there is a problem with one of my cars and the "engineer" says no there's nothing wrong, is to invite the bright boy along for a plesant ride as a passenger in the car.

Take him out for a lively "jaunt", frighten the Queen's pudding out of him .... and then stop the car.... let it sit for 5 minutes and try to start it.

Perhaps he will then see things the way that you do.

Regards,
Peabody

 

[G Winter]

I guess in the meantime, once you start the Vette, don't shut it off unless you plan on cooling for 2 Hrs. or carry a CO2 fire extinguisher and give it a cool shot.:L

I hadn't thought about that... might actually be a good troubleshooting tool. Cool the starter and see if it starts.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I use that technique to find failed intermittent electronic components due to overheating. It's a useful tool.

Bob, are you there?

 

[British Bob]

Hi,

Hi guys,

sorry had to sign off as had to go entertain a few people in a local pub with my band. Its a great stress releiver playin my guitar LOUD in front of a lively crowd.

Any way , back to work today, just got in.

I am havin a nite mare.

The engineer who fitted the starter motor insists that the starter motor is fine and that it is my battery and the leads are the problem . his bill to me is £250.

The electrical specialists who have had my car for the last 2 days insist that the problem is the starter motor!!!! having checked every wire, earth etc.....u know the story. Their bill to me now is £240.

There is also the engine flush, price to be advised.

I took the car back to Tom , the guy who fitted the starter motor. The car started straight away (cold) when i got to his garage (car now hot) it would not start.

He didnt look happy and angrily insisted that his supplier has been building starter motors for clarmont Corvette for years and the quality can not be faulted.

He said after a few calls to him from me, that he was in the process of fitting a side terminal corvette battery to my car to bypass "my stupid system of wires and top terminals" , that he would take it for a spin and see if the problem persists. that was yesterday, he hasnt called me back.

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Any way thanks for your support guys.

BB

 

[British Bob]

Humble Pie.

HA HA.

Just phoned Tom (the starter man) .

He has admitted that he was wrong

He has confirmed that he now thinks the starter motor is bad and is fitting a new one next tuesday with heat sheild.

Then I will be back on the road

Problem is, on the basis that he told me there was no way that the starter was bad and that I had an electrical problem , I am now faced with an additional bill from the electritians of £240 which Iwouldnt have had to pay if he hadnt been so conviced that the starter could not have been the issue.



not shure what to do about this.

BB

 

[Heavy Duty]

HA HA.

Just phoned Tom (the starter man) .

He has admitted that he was wrong

He has confirmed that he now thinks the starter motor is bad and is fitting a new one next tuesday with heat sheild.

Then I will be back on the road

Problem is, on the basis that he told me there was no way that the starter was bad and that I had an electrical problem , I am now faced with an additional bill from the electritians of £240 which Iwouldnt have had to pay if he hadnt been so conviced that the starter could not have been the issue.



not shure what to do about this.

BB

Bob. Glad to see you back.

I know how it feels to "Eat Crow". When you buy products from someone who has produced that product for years without any problems, it is hard to fault their products. But, there is always that one-in-a-million that will pup up bad and it looks like you found the one. When I was in med school we were always told not to go looking for Zebras and to always stick with the most common things. To me common since would have pointed to the starter since the problems with the car didn't start until after the starter fitting. Now, at your expense to have the electrical system checked, everything is pointing right back to the starter.

I would have gotten ugly real quick when the guy called back and told me it was the starter after allad . Just remember, it is your money that you are spending and you are paying for a service and expert advise. Sounds like they should be paying you for your advise since you where the one that kept questioning the starter.

Sounds like you have it under control. Soon you will be back crusing with the vette and looking for the Mini Coopers to smoke.

H.D.

 

[British Bob]

Hi and thanks.

Its funny that you say that.

The guy I work with has a mini cooper and said I should get rid and buy a real car like his!!!!!!

Just you wait until I am next to him at the lights or going up a steep hill.

Cant wait to see his push rods fly through his hood!!!!!

BB

 

[Heavy Duty]

Hi and thanks.

Its funny that you say that.

The guy I work with has a mini cooper and said I should get rid and buy a real car like his!!!!!!

Just you wait until I am next to him at the lights or going up a steep hill.

Cant wait to see his push rods fly through his hood!!!!!

BB

The Mini Coopers are starting to catch on over here. I haven't had the chance to one yet. The Jap cars (Ricers) are the ones who seem to think that they can spank a corvette. It is fun to play with them but most of the time they are not worth waisting gas on.

Glad to hear that you may be near getting yours fixed and yes, spank the Mini and lets us know how it turns out:naughty: . I am sure that once your friend gets a good taste of a real muscle car he will for ever ;worship .

Cheers

H.D.

 

[British Bob]

Cheers,

Will send you a photo of the carnage I leave behind when it happens.

BB