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MG MGA - starter motor removal

Should you be able to remove the starter motor without removing the oil filter? I had the bolts off, but could not get it past the filter. Is it me?!!
Nigel Munford

Nigel

I have been unable to get mine off in the past without removing the spin-on oil filter. It is the high starter position - 1800 engine. It seems to be one of the problems with the RHD car. The steering column is the killer.

I need to get mine off also in the next few weeks, so will do it during an oil change. My bendix tinkle has returned (gives the sound of loose washers rattling in a jam jar). My engineering fix to date has been to turn the radio volume up!

The cost of a new starter is not high so will probably replace it. I have tried replacing the bendix previously (I have the removal tool), but have found that the condition of the bendix is usually indicative of the starter's overall condition. Last time I replaced the starter I was amazed at the dramatic increase in performance.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve.
The annoying thing is, Haynes manual does not tell you that,it just says'undo the bolts and remove' easy.
Nigel Munford

Steve,
You must have the modern "go faster" starter. LOL.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

I had a starter that was way longer than the original unit. When it eventually failed I replaced with the correct size unit.
I would say that whether with the correct sized unit or not the removal of the oil filter is necessary.
My car is LHD by the way and I guess access is better than RHD.

Neil
Neil Purves

I have a low starter backplate and gearbox. I can't get the starter out with the oil filter in place either. Doesn't matter whether I used an original or a later one, still have the same issue

Jut glad it's not necessary to remove the starter very often!
dominic clancy

Just to refresh this thread, can the starter motor be removed from underneath the car?
Gary Lock

Gary

It's the only way I have ever done it. I would not have thought that there is enough clearance on a RHD car to remove it upwards. Might be wrong though, never attempted it.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I removed mine a couple of weeks ago and although I thought I had done it before without removing the filter I couldn't this time (high original starter)

I would though guess that you can do it with the lower starter because many years ago I had a holiday in France when I had it on and off several times and I can't believe I would have taken the oil filter on/off on French campsites!

Paul
Paul Dean

Definitely can't be done on a high starter car. The oil filter has to come off. It looked like it might come out if the distributor is removed, which might be easier than the filter though...
Neil McG

I would add that mine is also a high starter position with the 1800. Since that original post in 2009 I have fitted the hi-torch pre-engaged starter which has a bit more girth to it but has a shorter drive shaft, making manoeuvrability a little easier. Same issues though, filter off and the only the way is down. Although, that said, I took the filter off to remove the standard starter and put the new one on before refitting the filter, so it is just possible it may come off without filter removal. I will check sometime in the future when I am bored.

Steve


Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, Interesting reading your 2009 post about the tinkling washers sound. I have been searching for the source of that on my car for the last year - starter was replaced by PO just before I bought it 10 years ago - looks like it will have to come out - thanks for the info - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Cam

I discovered that 'tinkle' sound by chance when I inadvertently pulled the starter with the engine running and there it was. Normally it was only apparent above about 2500rpm on the move. I guess a combination of mechanical vibration and perhaps(?) air disturbance. At the time I had a spare bendix. I fitted it and hey presto no tinkle.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Strangely enough, my request to how to remove is due to the "tinkle" as well!
Gary Lock

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2009 and 26/11/2013

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