Hoping somebody can identify this problem:
I recently purchased an 87 Scirocco with 1.8 16V engine. The car runs
well, and starts immediately when cold, even at below zero temps.
However, it is very difficult to start, and sometimes even impossible,
after reaching operating temps. Occasionally, it has to be left to cool
down for an hour or so, and then it starts okay.
I replaced the battery, but this made little difference. The hotter the
engine, the harder it is to start. A mechanic suggested the starter is to
blame, but I don’t understand if that is the problem why it starts no
problem in very cold temps. When the engine is hot, the engine is very
sluggish to turn over when cranking.
Appreciate any suggestions,
Bruce
———————————————————————-
Bruce Millar
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Email address: bmil…@chat.carleton.ca
———————————————————————-
If indeed the problem lies in your starter, it is very simple to explain. The
starter is positioned extremely close to your motor, which is the prime source
for a lot of heat (I know this sounds elementary), so when the motor gets hot,
the starter gets just as hot. Then metal shafts, bearings, and bushings in the
starter begin to expand in size and could bind against each other making it
more difficult to operate the starter. Also, electric components by nature do
not run as well when hot so I suspect your starter has seen its days and it’s
time for a new one. I wouldn’t settle for anything other than Bosch! Hope
this helps.
—
Stephen Michael Lafrance
Stephen Michael Lafrance (smlafran) wrote:
: If indeed the problem lies in your starter, it is very simple to explain. The
: starter is positioned extremely close to your motor, which is the prime source
: for a lot of heat (I know this sounds elementary), so when the motor gets hot,
: the starter gets just as hot. Then metal shafts, bearings, and bushings in the
: starter begin to expand in size and could bind against each other making it
: more difficult to operate the starter. Also, electric components by nature do
: not run as well when hot so I suspect your starter has seen its days and it’s
: time for a new one. I wouldn’t settle for anything other than Bosch! Hope
: this helps.
Before this I would make sure the old starter gets voltage by
cleaning the connection to the battery very well (and by a voltmeter
if you have one). A bad starter-to-battery connection is not
uncommon for these cars, and may be only manifested with a warm
engine.