UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

cut and pastey time
86c on porka gave me a good method but i like to cover all the bases... when i dont fall asleep at the monitor that is


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good UKP folks, what is the REAL method for removing a mk3 starter motor?

in opposition to the deceptively simple write-up provided in the Haynes Big Book of Lies, of course.

i can't see a way to get at the bloody thing without removing
* inlet manifold
* main coolant pipe (from pump)
* exhaust

i've undone one of the starter-to-gearbox bolts, can't find the second one, or the third bolt i am told holds the starter in (not sure if thats gearbox or engine block, though)

cant even find/reach the wiring for motor and solenoid

cheers

Unplug the battery (starter motor live seems to be live all the time, and it's going to hurt like hell if you touch that..)
Remove the three bolts holding the motor in place. One of them is not immediately obvious, it's enormously long and runs in a tunnel along the top of the gearbox. If you feel around the lip of the starter motor you will be able to feel the ends of each of the bolts.
With these three bolts removed the starter motor will withdraw from the gearbox, no real need to disconnect the wiring if you're just changing the box.
Also no real need to go dismantling half the car to get to it It's not exactly accessible, but it's not difficult to get to the bolts.

aye, i was worried about that, but mine doesnt seem to be live right now (that or ive never found the terminals) .... will disconnect battery before doing anything more though! (the reverse wiring will most likely be live, for starters)

thanks for that reply, wish id asked here first really as thats everything i needed to know in one .. and its helped by showing i dont need to totally remove the motor, just free it from the gearbox.