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MG MGA - inertia starter does not engage

Hi there
After driving my MGA with MGB 5 bearing engine most of last year, the starter decided to give me troubles. It spins fast, full battery (just charged) but it does not mesh to flywheel even with light hammer tap.
Any help, suggestions appreciated.

Martin
































































i
sharpeys

You can remove the Bendix gear and the rest of the inertial system and clean them very well, then reassemble. Do not add any lubricant to the pieces as that will just collect dirt and cause another failure. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

David as absolutely correct.

The old inertia starter has its own unique characteristics. Been through them all including yours. I eventually went for the pre-engaged starter and never looked back. One of those non-destructive modifications that can be returned to originality. It also takes the load out of the pull starter switch.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Just removing the starter allows you to clean the bendix up pretty well, finishing off will a pencil all over the mating surface of the gear. Keep cleaning until the gear moves easily and return by itself.

It could also be that the flywheel ring gear has worn so much that there are no teeth in the one place where it stops. Less likely but worth a check when you remove the starter.

I assume it's a LHD car, otherwise you have to take off the oil filter to remove the starter!
Neil McG

Neil raises the point about the worn ring gear. Two solutions on this one: pull the engine and replace the gear on the flywheel; second option is to fit a pre-engaged starter. It engages the ring from the front, the unworn side.

Working for me.

Steve
Steve Gyles

If you do suspect a worn ring gear then another temporary solution is to select 2nd gear & bump the car forward a bit to select a different part of the ring. As an apprentice with not much money I drove a mini around for some time doing this ……..in the winter months & with a flat battery I would often park on a hill so that I could bump start the car.

Richard
R A Evans

Steve - "pre-engaged". Does that mean the starter pinion is always turning? Must be extremely high revs!
Art Pearse

Art

No. When you pull the starter switch the starter dog moves forward (stationary - not rotating) to engage the starter ring. Only then does an internal solenoid complete the electrical circuit to apply full power to spin the dog and turn the engine. See here my write up: http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/hi_torque_starter_motor.htm

Steve
Steve Gyles

OK, thanks Steve.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2014 and 19/05/2014

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