Starter replacement on OM603

[speedy300Dturbo]

From what I can see and feel, there are two 17mm bolts holding it on... is there anything else that I need to be aware of? Any tips or suggestions on this procedure? Thanks in advance.

[omegabenz]

Hey Speedy,

Guess what happened to my little brothers 603 today?


His starter is broken.

Process for removal:

-take off pans
-get a socket, swivel, and about 18" of extention and a 1/2 breaker bar
-make sure the socket stays on because those bolts are really really tight. Mine had locktite on them.
-Get them loose, take them out.
-Go back to the top of the car
- take off the screw that holds on the wire and one 13 mm nut that holds on a bigger wire.
-pull the starter out through the top near the injector pump. All the nuts are accessable from the top.

Check to see if the bendix is good, or the motor, you can order bosch replacements or just put in another one.

Both of my brothers cars are doing the same thing so we are just going to put in two new (reman) starters.

Let me know how it goes, it took me about 20 minutes.

Austin

[surfblau]

I also got it done in about 20 minutes.

Don't forget to disconnect the battery.

I got the new starter from Fastlane to replace the previous rebuilt one- it lasted about one month before beginning to intermittently fail.

This couldn't have been much easier of a repair.

Good luck.

[locry]

old post old post... sorry...

which pans did you remove?

my starter is acting up... sometimes it "misses" and grinds... what i do is i TAP firmly on the starter to get it to engage... what could be wrong with it? solenoid?

anyway... i have to get it off... which pans do i remove? thanks

its an 87 124 300TD btw

[omegabenz]

the under belly pans so you can access the bolts on the starter.

[babymog]

Sounds like the classic bad bendix.

[locry]

thanks guys... wilco

[ccooper]

I did it on my SDL three years ago and I get to do it again this Saturday once the replacement comes from Fastlane. As the others have said, it's a very easy repair, probably the only thing easier about this engine versus the OM61x engines.

Just a couple extra suggestions. First, you'll obviously need to get it from below and you _almost_ don't even need to jack up the car. Be sure to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. I recommend ensuring the connection of the large cable lug is clean - take any corrosion off.

Removing the starter is very straightforward. Don't laugh, but make sure you don't drop the thing on you. You will need to guide it through the tie rods. IIRC, I turned the steering wheel all the way to the right to provide enough room to take it out. Whatever the case, don't be afraid to move the steering wheel to get the room you need.

While it's almost idiot-proof putting back on, make sure it is flush against the body and the holes for the bolts align. If you have to force the bolts in, really check the positioning. I have visions of a stripped flywheel or some other nasty thing should said starter be forced in.

Good luck on the project and enjoy the feeling of having done $120 of work in 1/2 hour. Also, be sure to return the core using the RMA#.

Casey

[locry]

thanks for the tips bro!!! much appreciated