Murphy and starters

nobody · 11-16-2005

Murphy strikes again. I've been trying off and on for the last couple of days to find out why the GT won't turn over. A couple weeks ago I replaced the started and it fired up just fine. I found the old one had a broken winding on the armature and was really acting up. Huge draw on the battery to turn it at all. Ok so with colder weather the battery wasn't taking much of a charge. Problem one looks like a battery failure from the bad starter. I've been clearing out starters and was down to the last ones but one proved bad and one seemed ok of the 2 I kept. Keep in mind this is 11:1 compression and a more than aggresive cam so it thinks starters are like cups of coffee..needs a fresh one every morning. I go get a new 1000 amp battery and still no go but if I need to weld something on the road I think it would do it. I ordered in a new starter (be here Friday) with a lifetime warranty. I feel like I put in a change of address for Murphy. Now everytime it eats a starter Checker Auto gets a visit from Murphy and I.

GT Tim · 11-16-2005

That is the beauty of warranties.The feel of extra safety.

nobody · 11-16-2005

With the last 11:1 I went through a starter about every year for maybe 12 years. At 60 each I think the warranty will be worth it in no time.

gtjames · 11-16-2005

Maybe you could just velcro it in?

namba209 · 11-16-2005

The warrantees (lifetime) work just great Dave. Put a new MC in the monza yesterday for free, other than the hour it took to remove, bench bleed and replace it.

GTJIM · 11-16-2005

Dave, Sounds like you really need a reduction geared starter motor - there is a US based company that does custom starters - but they are not cheap!
If you can swing the replacement warranty thing you are probably better off with stock starters. I think that the only "stronger" starter that Opel has is the 2.4L one.

RallyBob · 11-16-2005

Originally Posted by GTJIM

I think that thee only "stronger" starter that Opel has is the 2.4L one.

The 2.4 starter is almost twice as powerful as a stock 1.9 starter, 2/3rds the size, and literally half the weight. The 3.0 litre 6-cylinder starter is large/heavy in like a 1.9, but is apparently even more powerful than the 2.4 starter.

nobody · 11-16-2005

I was thinking about the bigger versions but as infrequently as I fire this one up I figured 56 bucks my cost to have one for free whenever it eats one is ok. If it were a daily driver I'd have gone a different route. Then again my Dad kinda summed it up pretty well after driving it. " if you plan on driving that every day your tags will expire before you get your liscense back" 5 year tags on it too.

nobody · 11-18-2005

I figured the starters failing was my murphys law thing, oh no just the beginning. I keep Thumper at the shop in a gated and locked environment. Yesterday I discovered somebody with an access key decided it needed a flat tire on speed rated tires, so it's sitting on the ground with what looks to be the need of a new tire and hopefully no rim damage, Today is starter arrival day so it could be fired up and did I mention snow. I see a major water burn scheduled for later today. Hold on buckle up, it's show time. I love the smell of racing fuel in the morning

nobody · 11-19-2005

The starter showed up as expected, tire wasn't cut just all the air let out. As suspected the old starter selinoid was the culprit and screwed up the armature. Best part was I was also out of gas. Which means I finally went through that full tank of 50% mix and got to go back to straight 110. Fired right up and after a darn good wheel spinning launch through 2 gears I putted on back home.

After dinner the short girl had to go for a ride. After being real persistant she went and got my Tlinket caribou racing slippers, no heel and toe driving but boy are they comfy. We putted around the block and only saw 50 but she was happy.

Thumper is now home and next on the list is Fugly.

11-16-2005	#1 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	Unanswered: Murphy and starters Murphy strikes again. I've been trying off and on for the last couple of days to find out why the GT won't turn over. A couple weeks ago I replaced the started and it fired up just fine. I found the old one had a broken winding on the armature and was really acting up. Huge draw on the battery to turn it at all. Ok so with colder weather the battery wasn't taking much of a charge. Problem one looks like a battery failure from the bad starter. I've been clearing out starters and was down to the last ones but one proved bad and one seemed ok of the 2 I kept. Keep in mind this is 11:1 compression and a more than aggresive cam so it thinks starters are like cups of coffee..needs a fresh one every morning. I go get a new 1000 amp battery and still no go but if I need to weld something on the road I think it would do it. I ordered in a new starter (be here Friday) with a lifetime warranty. I feel like I put in a change of address for Murphy. Now everytime it eats a starter Checker Auto gets a visit from Murphy and I.

11-16-2005	#5 (permalink)
namba209 6,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 6,054 Provided Answers: 6	The warrantees (lifetime) work just great Dave. Put a new MC in the monza yesterday for free, other than the hour it took to remove, bench bleed and replace it. __________________ Ron 72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed. 75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next

11-16-2005	#6 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	Reduction .... Dave, Sounds like you really need a reduction geared starter motor - there is a US based company that does custom starters - but they are not cheap! If you can swing the replacement warranty thing you are probably better off with stock starters. I think that the only "stronger" starter that Opel has is the 2.4L one. __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved Last edited by GTJIM; 11-17-2005 at 01:02 AM.

11-18-2005	#9 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	I figured the starters failing was my murphys law thing, oh no just the beginning. I keep Thumper at the shop in a gated and locked environment. Yesterday I discovered somebody with an access key decided it needed a flat tire on speed rated tires, so it's sitting on the ground with what looks to be the need of a new tire and hopefully no rim damage, Today is starter arrival day so it could be fired up and did I mention snow. I see a major water burn scheduled for later today. Hold on buckle up, it's show time. I love the smell of racing fuel in the morning Last edited by nobody; 11-18-2005 at 11:32 AM.

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11-16-2005	#2 (permalink)
GT Tim Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 479	That is the beauty of warranties.The feel of extra safety.

11-16-2005	#3 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	With the last 11:1 I went through a starter about every year for maybe 12 years. At 60 each I think the warranty will be worth it in no time.

11-16-2005	#4 (permalink)
gtjames Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 137	Maybe you could just velcro it in?

11-16-2005	#8 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	I was thinking about the bigger versions but as infrequently as I fire this one up I figured 56 bucks my cost to have one for free whenever it eats one is ok. If it were a daily driver I'd have gone a different route. Then again my Dad kinda summed it up pretty well after driving it. " if you plan on driving that every day your tags will expire before you get your liscense back" 5 year tags on it too.

11-19-2005	#10 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	The starter showed up as expected, tire wasn't cut just all the air let out. As suspected the old starter selinoid was the culprit and screwed up the armature. Best part was I was also out of gas. Which means I finally went through that full tank of 50% mix and got to go back to straight 110. Fired right up and after a darn good wheel spinning launch through 2 gears I putted on back home. After dinner the short girl had to go for a ride. After being real persistant she went and got my Tlinket caribou racing slippers, no heel and toe driving but boy are they comfy. We putted around the block and only saw 50 but she was happy. Thumper is now home and next on the list is Fugly.

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