Transit mk6 starter

[Cobbler]

I know there are several on here that are well conversant with mk6 fwd Transit. On our Transit camper the starter has started to be troublesome when it’s been parked for a while, taking several turns of the key doing nothing & then spin's over & starts. Once started from then on starts fine. I’m assuming that the slide that the pinion gear slides on has become gummed up with oil & clutch dust, is this just a case of remove & clean or get a new one. Is this a common problem? Thanks in advance.

 

[Barking Mat]

Have you tried tapping it with a hammer ? Is it accessible ?

How old is it ?

 

[Cobbler]

Have you tried tapping it with a hammer ? Is it accessible ?

How old is it ?

It’s easily accessible Mat, it’s always started after a few tries, so not needed to clout it. Basically I’m asking do I clean it or chuck it as past experience of others may say it’s knackered. it's a 2006 van in good nick & heading down to Spain end of August for a month.

 

[Blobber]

I'd change it personally or at least take a spare with you if you're going that far

 

[Chillitt]

I think I have a mk6 starter in the shed...

 

[Cobbler]

I think I have a mk6 starter in the shed...

I’ll whip it out next week & see what I find. At South Cerney show this weekend, then in Cornwall for a few days. Life is so busy when retired

 

[Cobbler]

I'd change it personally or at least take a spare with you if you're going that far

That’s my feeling, they are not that dear in the great plan of things.

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd change it personally or at least take a spare with you if you're going that far

I'd definitely have a spare if I was off to Spain, and the tools to change it, so it's 18 years old, check the contacts going to it are clean and well tightened, but yeah, deffo take a spare, if it does start, with a few clicks, I wouldn't change it, but starters don't last forever.

I work mainly with Kubota engines, you can dismantle the starter, and where the solenoid throws the arm to engage the motor, these clog up due to arcing and can be resurrected easily, but I'm not familiar with yours, maybe pull it off and post some photos ?

Or buy a spare.

Or both.

 

[Chillitt]

I’ll whip it out next week & see what I find. At South Cerney show this weekend, then in Cornwall for a few days. Life is so busy when retired

I'll see what I can find and post a pic. ( I think theres a mk5 one there too and cant remember the difference. I will be at the show too, probably friday

 

[Cobbler]

I'll see what I can find and post a pic. ( I think theres a mk5 one there too and cant remember the difference. I will be at the show too, probably friday

Don’t worry about looking for it, plan is to get a new one if any doubt. They aren’t a huge amount of dosh, the van has got 100k miles on it, so a fair life & must be well worn now. See you at the show.

 

[Cobbler]

Don’t worry about looking for it, plan is to get a new one if any doubt. They aren’t a huge amount of dosh, the van has got 100k miles on it, so a fair life & must be well worn now. See you at the show.

@Chillitt if you are at the Cerney show Saturday, please pop in & see me either on the gate or Cobalt stand & ask for Frank. Cup of tea waiting & I would like to pick your brains.

 

[mr haynes]

Were famous for starter issues. Don't breath in when you pull it out, will be full of dust

 

[minimutly]

Were famous for starter issues. Don't breath in when you pull it out, will be full of dust

Yep, 2 bolt fixing - well done Mr Ford. Just finished replacing 4 pistons on a 38k mile Transit - the whole engine has jems of crap design, but the biggest is crap injectors and no way of knowing until you have a broken piston.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Transit starter problems are often a sign of DMF failure, starter will not be covered by any warranty if there is any indication of DMF failure.

 

[8ob]

Yep, 2 bolt fixing - well done Mr Ford. Just finished replacing 4 pistons on a 38k mile Transit - the whole engine has jems of crap design, but the biggest is crap injectors and no way of knowing until you have a broken piston.

I bought a 4wd mk7 that needs a piston, bought a rebuild kit and another engine to put together so the van isnt in bits/dead too long. A guy was telling me that this hole in the piston malarkey was down to a Ford mapping issue and unless addressed will keep doing it, may be a load of cods.

Bob

 

[minimutly]

I bought a 4wd mk7 that needs a piston, bought a rebuild kit and another engine to put together so the van isnt in bits/dead too long. A guy was telling me that this hole in the piston malarkey was down to a Ford mapping issue and unless addressed will keep doing it, may be a load of cods.

Bob

They do it in Citroen vans too - there is a lot of folklore about this - maybe some of it's true, but I know a father and son outfit that do nothing but Transits, they reckon they (the euro5) are the biggest pile of poo out there, so does the guy 2 units down, so do the motor factors, and the guy who has a Citroen with the same cracked piston issue. Personally I agree, how can it be right that a common issue (failed injector) takes a piston out with it before you get any indication?
I discussed making a test rig with tech mate of mine - he says don't bother, the job would be too big, and take years to get anywhere near useful...

 

[m_c]

I bought a 4wd mk7 that needs a piston, bought a rebuild kit and another engine to put together so the van isnt in bits/dead too long. A guy was telling me that this hole in the piston malarkey was down to a Ford mapping issue and unless addressed will keep doing it, may be a load of cods.

Bob

I do seem to remember there was an issue with earlier engines and injection timing under certain conditions, which could crack pistons, and which there was a PCM update for.
However injector failure can happen to any diesel engine, and I've never personally seen a holed/cracked piston in a Transit despite that being one of the main vehicles I've worked on.

I have however seen them in Sprinters, and the best/worst was an Astra with the last of the 1.7 Isuzu engine, where a failed injector nozzle melted a hole in the head/block between two cylinders. Also seen one melt the top of a piston.
1500+bar of pressure can do a lot of damage if not directed correctly.

 

[DaveB]

Meanwhile, back at the starter issue....

The motor has a needle roller bearing supporting the pinoin shaft.
Dirt from the clutch gets into the bearing and can cause it to lock up intermittently.
A good clean usually solves the issue for a while.

 

[minimutly]

I do seem to remember there was an issue with earlier engines and injection timing under certain conditions, which could crack pistons, and which there was a PCM update for.
However injector failure can happen to any diesel engine, and I've never personally seen a holed/cracked piston in a Transit despite that being one of the main vehicles I've worked on.

I have however seen them in Sprinters, and the best/worst was an Astra with the last of the 1.7 Isuzu engine, where a failed injector nozzle melted a hole in the head/block between two cylinders. Also seen one melt the top of a piston.
1500+bar of pressure can do a lot of damage if not directed correctly.

I can show you two of mine and one each from two Citroens, one a nice low mileage mororhome like mine, the other a high miler van, Rick the Transit guy won't sell me a 50k miler in case it dies on me, and apparently the engine conditioners won't warranty rebuilt ones, but that's from Ricks son, I never enquired...
Sorry about the thread hijack - yes clutch debris can get into them apparently...

 

[Cobbler]

@Chillitt, down in Cornwall at the moment, intend to change the starter when I get back, but please can you tell me how this is held on & how to remove it to get at the connections. Led on my back I can’t see what I’m doing, sure it’s easy when I start. Looks also like the top bolt is a pig, but never mind.