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Slow starter motor when hot
whitestu - 16/7/09 at 07:04 PM

The starter turns the engine [2.0 Zetec] fine when cold, but when hot can somtimes not turn at all or goes very slow.

When I try again it goes fine. The connections all seem OK so I'm guessing this is just down to a 17 year old CVH starter motor.

Anyone know the cheapest place to get one?

Thanks

Stu

JAMSTER - 16/7/09 at 07:12 PM

i think this is the problem with this engine set up mine does the same but leave it a few mins it's ok

fatbaldbloke - 16/7/09 at 08:55 PM

It's pretty much standard in 7 type vehicles with Zetec engines. I'ts largely because the starter sits very close to the exhaust primary. The complete answer is to shroud the starter in some heat resistant material (you can get starter heat protection mat off the internet), fit a Brise starter and an Odyssey type battery. Expensive, but this will guarantee good hot starting.

whitestu - 17/7/09 at 02:35 PM

Thanks

I'll give the heat protective shoud a go.

Cheers

Stu

britishtrident - 17/7/09 at 07:04 PM

What ignition system are you using ? --- classic sign of too much initial spark advance. The engine is kicking back against the starter.

whitestu - 19/7/09 at 03:40 PM

quote:

What ignition system are you using ? --- classic sign of too much initial spark advance.


Megajolt - I don't think its advance though.

It doesn't do it at all when cold and changing the advance dosn't make any difference.

Stu

bob - 28/7/13 at 02:25 PM

I am now having this issue with the starter when hot, how did the heat protection go ?

Trollyjack - 29/7/13 at 08:11 AM

I had this problem years ago on my tin top it turnrd out to be a poor Engine Earth

Just a thought

whitestu - 29/7/13 at 10:19 AM

quote:

I am now having this issue with the starter when hot, how did the heat protection go ?


I never got round to doing anything about it to be honest!

The car is in bits now as I can't get it out of the garage because of building work so I'll look at it again in September.

Is yours only a problem when hot?


It doesn't seem to be an earth issue on mine.


Stu

stevebubs - 29/7/13 at 02:14 PM

Mine did that and it was ignition advance...backed the cranking advance off very slightly and it cured it...

snakebelly - 29/7/13 at 03:45 PM

As already mentioned could be a bad earth or advance, that said its not that uncommon, I have always run a geared high torque starter and wont run anything else now, just ordered one for my Ribble Navigator build and will be ordering one for the Volvo in the GTA next week. Brise are the main player but there are other Cambridge motorsport I think? they are not cheap compare to a standard starter but worth every penny in my opinion, they also draw less current so you can downsize on the battery a bit.

bob - 31/7/13 at 07:32 PM

Thanks for the replies, i had the problem with the 1800 zetec so when the 2 litre went in last month i was expecting the same anyway.

I have wrapped the starter with heat shield looking for a locost fix, retarding ignition at cranking on the megajolt has made no difference.

I will check out the Brise starters, any recommended suppliers ?

britishtrident - 31/7/13 at 08:37 PM

Before doing anything try getting the engine really hot and disconnecting the the ignition coil or (better) the fuel injectors and then check the cranking speed.
If the engine cranks faster with the ignition or injectors disconnected then it tells you the starter is ok and points to ignition timing.

bob - 31/7/13 at 09:27 PM

BT good point, running carbs so i'll pull the plugs when hot and give it a spin with no fuel pump.

I have to be honest if left for a while (10 minutes) the engine will spin up fine and start straight away so i cant really see the ign advance making any difference.

I do not really want to splash out on a high torque motor,it is a bit over the top when i can live with the minor problem.

David Jenkins - 31/7/13 at 09:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Trollyjack
I had this problem years ago on my tin top it turnrd out to be a poor Engine Earth

Just a thought


Similar for me on my x-flow powered locost - I thought my battery was dying, but eventually found a loose connection on the solenoid (high-current side). It would start fairly well when cold, but barely kick over when trying to restart a hot engine. Tightening it up restored starting functionality...

I'd give all of the power lead and earth connections a good clean-up and make sure they're properly tightened when you've finished.

[Edited on 31/7/13 by David Jenkins]

bob - 1/8/13 at 12:02 PM

I think i will investigate my earth leads and cut off switch terminals