Starter Motor

[cutmonster]

Apologies if there's been a thread on this ('tho I certainly couldn't find one). Was driving my 99 4.0 Chimp last Friday in the solid traffic of the City and after I parked up I couldn't start the car. Starter motor wouldn't turn at all. A call to friendly TVR dealer diagnosed the problem as a cooked starter motor. Suggested I wait 30 minutes and try again. Lo and behold the damn thing started again! Was told this is a common problem. Am thinking about taking said Chimp on the continent this Summer but am now worried. What happens if I stall?! Same concern applies to UK Summer and/or traffic congestion.

Anyone any ideas? Can I insulate the starter motor from the heat of the engine/exhaust?
Cheers folks

>>> Edited by cutmonster on Monday 11th February 23:19

[GreenV8S]

quote:Can I insulate the starter motor from the heat of the engine/exhaust?

Yes, this is a standard mod. You can get the material from any motorsport/accessory shop, or get your favorite dealer/specialist to do it for you when they replace the motor.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[trefor]

I assume you can just put the insulation around your current starter motor if it hasn't played up yet? Or is there a 'new improved' starter motor too? Mine works fine, but I tend to fix things before they go wrong.

T/.

[dlewis]

The choice is strip it down or fit a new one.

Mine cost me a finger full of copper grease but undoing the starter motor bolts is not easy.

The previous threads were around 20th January 2002

[cutmonster]

Folks that's great!
dlewis : thanks for putting me on to the other threads - I should have known that the answer was "out there" somewhere!
My next service (due in 1,000) will be with David Batty at the Garage (I've heard nothing but good reports about David) and I'll ask in the first instance whether he minds a finger full of copper grease and/or fitting a heat shield before I replace the motor since this is only the second time it's happened on my Chimp!
Cheers!