Slow starter when warm, sometimes.

[JWS Mk3]

I've got a starting fault on my GTi 16v. It only hapens when the engine is hot, and even then only sometimes. I bought the car a few weeks ago and 5 days later the big end bearings went . So i fitted a 2.0 abf engine and am now trying to sort out the other problems.

The cooling fan doesn't work and the temp guage only rises to the top of the big whit block on the guage. (new switch on its way from dealer for cooling fan) So because of this im using the oil temp on the MFA as a guide to engine temp. But the oil temp seems to get quite high (about 110 max) even during high speed driving when the cooling fan not working isn't an issue.

But back to the queston about the starter. Sometimes when the engine is hot when trying to start the car the starter turns very slowly, and very notchy, but the car does start then runs fine. Im a bit concerned that this may be due to overheating. Theres no symptoms of any head gasket trouble, and the engine runs perfectly once it starts, and doesn't feel down on power. Any ideas??

I also a bit concerned about the high oil temp, but have never driven far enough to see how high it gets (gets to about 108/110 after about 20 miles driving quite quickly. Any ideas about this??

[DarnPB]

110 degrees is a little high but OK. Your slow starter problem could be a couple of things.
1. Your battery could be getting a little tired.
2. Your starter could be getting a little tired.
3. Where the starter is mounted, there is a phosfer bronze bearing where the spigot end of the starter fits into. If this is worn, you will have the same symptoms of a low battery and it may sound notchy. If the car started ok before the block swap, then I am guessing that the existing bearing in the 2.0L block may need replacing.

[rowlers]

110 is nowt to worry about, I often see 120 in traffic, which drops when I get moving again.

The starter maybe needs the spline (the bit that engages the fly wheel?) changed for the MK3 item - easy straight swap think. I read that this can cure the problem of slow starters on high tuned 1.8's and 2.0 conversions.

hope this helps

[JWS Mk3]

Cheers for replys. Im pretty sure the batt is ok, but its not been tested. Might do that tomorrow. And i used the same flywheel and clutch from before (from a 1.6 driver cos the previous owner had to replace g/box and used a 1.6 box) so its not going to be that.

Could be the bearing tho, im not really familiar with vw's and didnt check when fiting the new engine.

Im a it paranoid that it may be overheating and then goin tight when hot, cos this has never happened with a cold engine. Dont really fancy another 8 odd hours work doing another engine swap. But at least ive got a warranty on the engine.

[rowlers]

wot I mean is the spline gear on the end of your starter motor. the actual motor will be fine. the spline is bigger/smaller (not sure which) on the mk3s to make it easir for the starter to turn the engine!