Starting when hot

[chrism]

Hope someone can assist......
Starter turns engine over fine when engine cold
When engine hot starter motor struggles to turn engine over (if at all)
Leave engine to cool and starter turns engine over again OK
C

[tiger6trev (T.C)]

Hi Chris

I had this problem and so did Tony

I changed my battery to a higher ampage 43 t0 64 problem solved

hope this helps feller

Trev.

[chrism]

Thanks Trev

[tonyb]

Same for me as well as cleaning up all the earth points

Tony

[chrism]

OK guys I've undone all the connections and cleaned and remade them, added an extra earth lead directly to a starter motor retaining bolt and still no difference.
The battery is new as I bought it because I initially thought it was the culprit.
Checked the battery and its supposedly 60Ah but it is a cheap one (I'm a cheapskate!!) and its got a cold cranking rating of 225A, other similar batteries on the net have a CCA of about twice that - wonder if I'm paying for being cheap!?
So I'm at the point where its either a new battery or a new starter motor (does it stiffen up when it gets hot I wonder?)
A new battery is the cheapest, quickest solution and that is where I'll be heading tomorrow or Monday unless anyone else has any bright ideas?
All suggestions/comments gratefully received
C

[steve8274]

How is your timing? I believe if you have too much advance in your timing then this can cause issues
Don't know why.
Hth
Steve

[weavo56]

One thing I found with my starter was the bearing at the gear end had gone . Some times it would turn over ok .
One time I used my mondeo to jump start it and nearly fried the cables .

This was a pinto starter , only when I changed it did I see what the fault was .

Graham

[chrism]

Thanks Graham, I was looking at a new starter motor (maybe one of the high torque ones) but not sure how to prove its the starter. I believe mine is also the original Pinto unit. The fact that the battery seems to have half the starting power of most of the ones on the net makes me think the battery is the first step. Shouldn't have bought a low quality battery from MotorWorld!
Will keep you posted
C

[DaveB]

Thing is poor batterys normal give poor results when the engine is cold or during cold weather. Duff batterys always tend to show themselves in the winter months despite working ok through the summer.

Does it make a difference if you dip the clutch on starting ?

After trying to start it, does the starter motor feel unusually hot ?

If you switch on all the lights and try starting is it the same cold and hot ??

I would be looking at the starter motor personally, when the engine is hot some of that heat transfers to the starter and the added pressure of trying to start it, if its not spinning ok (bearing etc etc) is probably overheating it.

Most alternator repair shops will test a starter motor for you.

[weavo56]

Thats what I went for a geared high torque motor a big expense but it takes half the current to turn it , not had any probs since .
Also the original kit cars used a fiesta size battery because the space is limited . But now you can get high cranking power ones of the same size .

Might be worth taking the motor off first to see what condition its in .
Give it a good clean and check the brushes and comm .

Graham

[chrism]

I've taken starter motor to pieces (possibly too many pieces!) and am beginning to suspect it as the cause of the problem.
The rotor has clear ridges and wear around it and there seems to be corresponding witness marks on two of the four fixed pole pieces. I wonder if, when it is warm, there is too much slack in the bearings and the torque forces the rotor into the stator?
Three of the four brushes are ok but one is worn below the recommended limits.
Think it is beyond my repair, happy to do the brushes but not sure I can do anything about the possible bearing wear.
Anyone any thoughts?
Thanks
C

PS Graham where did you buy your hi torque starter motor?

[DaveB]

Chris, i just typed pinto starter motor in ebay, fousands of em !!!!

[chrism]

Ha ha, cheers Dave
My research suggests there are also fousands of variations on a standard 'pinto' theme!
Still it will keep me busy making sure I get the right one
C

[weavo56]

Hi Chris this is the one I have fitted . I did have to cut the corner off the engine mounting plate .
you do have a pinto engine , don't you ?

Auto Electric Supplies

Tel: [phone]

Address: Auto Electric Supplies Limited, Granville House, 11 Cross Street, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8EF, UK

Morgan 4/4 CVH & Ford Pinto

Hi torque Powerlite Starter motor to suit Ford Pinto & Morgan 4/4 CVH. 89mm (3.5") spigot diameter, 114mm (4.5") bolt centres, 26.6mm gear diameter.


• Original starter weight 5.5kg

• Powerlite starter weight 3.8kg

• Power 1.4kW

• 10 teeth

• Product Code
• Description
• RAC110A

Powerlite Starter Motor
£135.00 each

Graham

[chrism]

Correct Graham I do will check this out tomorrow
Cheers
C