C4S Starter Motor Removal problem

[Maz158]

Hi, new member & 1st time poster needing help! I upgraded to a 2004 Manual C4S at the start of this year and the car and love it but it did come with a issue of the starter motor squealing on starting. Decided to change the motor myself as I have a garage and am quite handy with the spanners! After removing the various bit to access the starter and removing the 2 bolts fixing it to the bellhousing I expected the motor would come out. However it is still solid and hasn't moved at all despite my efforts using a piece of wood & hammer, oil filter strap to try and twist it, slide hammer attached the cable bolt etc. It was suggested to put the bolts back in & re-connect the starter cables and try flicking the key to jolt the starter free which I tried however when I turned the ignition the starter did nothing. The fuel pump primes, ignition lights up ok but nothing. I tried locking / unlocking the car and re-attaching the throttle body and airbox sensors but nothing!

Anybody have any suggestions what the problem is or how to get the starter loose?!

Many Thanks,

Martin

 

[wibble]

I would have thought with the two correct bolts removed it would come away from the bell housing. Can only think that corrosion is the issue with steel and aluminium. Have you tried WD40 sprayed over the joint if you have room? Failing that have the gears jammed on the flywheel? You could try rocking the car in gear.

 

[Maz158]

Had it in 6 gear with the handbrake on & wheels chocked. Attached a thin steel cable around the starter and pulled it with a recovery winch is rated at 10 Tonne and it pulls the car back!

Don't understand it! Everything points to there being another bolt I've missed but Googled it loads and it doesn't seem so!

 

[andywill]

Very strange, never heard of such an issue before
Good luck

 

[wibble]

Yesterday I removed my starter motor. Two 15mm bolts diagonal to each other - looking from rear, situated top right and bottom left. Engine I'm working on done over 100k, no corrosion on mating surfaces. Admittedly my engine out of the car so makes it much easier, but the starter motor just lifted out.

I can only assume the engagement gear has jammed on the flywheel, but would find that unusual.

 

[SteveAndrews]

May be worth putting it in 1st and then 2nd gear and rocking the car back and forwards in both to try and free the cogs. Seem to remember my dad doing this many years ago on a very old car!