1989 B2

Let me start off by saying I don't know much of anything about this ****.......

Now, can a bad starter cause the flywheel to go bad. I am told that I need to replace my starter and flywheel. Est: $730.00

Does that sound fair?

 

Hey Henry,

Unfortunately, the cause of most flywheel problems is in fact a bad starter/solinoid.

When the ignition key is turned to the start position, it sends a 12 volt pulse to the starter solinoid.

The solinoid the activates a gear at the end of the starter shaft. That gear is suppose to engage the teeth of the flywheel ring gear.

Misalignment, loose starter mounting bolts, bad ignition switch and other problems can cause the solinoid gear to not come in contact with the teeth of the flywheel ring gear.

When this happens, the harder gear of the starter solinoid may gring/wear off edges of teeth on the flywheel ring gear.

I'm fairly certain this is what the shop is talking about. Worn, damaged, or missing teeth on the flywheel ring gear.

Unfortunately, to get at the flywheel, requires opening up the tranny/bell housing. No small task, and one that normally starts in the price range of $500, before parts.

$730 seems in line, maybe a little on the high side, unless the quote includes the parts,(flywheel and starter).

The starter is really an easy job, one that you could save money on by doing yourself.

You should have an inspection plug/hole on the bell housing some where, that plug/hole will allow you to see the flywheel and inspect the condition of the flywheel ring gear teeth.

There may only be some minor damage to the edge of the ring gear teeth. In this case, I'd just change out the starter, and be done with it.

Can you recall times that the starter has not engaged the flywheel, and/or made a grinding sound, when you tried to start it?

When you turn the ignition key to the start position, do you hear the starter rotating freely, but not engaging the flywheel? Or a grinding sound?

Sometimes a solinoid will go bad, and just not engage the flywheel at all.

Lots of things could cause the shop to make that diagnosis.

Anyway, there are some serious additional $$$ considerations to be made
at the time the bell housing and tranny are seperated.

You have to consider, the conditions of other items that you can only get at, at this time.

The pilot bearing, throw out bearing, clutch, pressure plate, rear engine seal, flywheel resurfacing slave cylinder, etc.

You will be paying a lot of money to open that baby up, you have to consider, how soon you want to pay to open it again, for repair replacement of these other parts.

$730 is flywheel and cracking it open. The above considerations may add another $500 on to the job to be done right.

Also, you owe it to yourself, to get at least one other quote, may set your mind at ease about the first shop. Or provide you with a new perspective on the needed repairs.

 

Well if u know how to do the ring gear your self it would be cheaper than 730.00 dollers.
I have the same problem and going to fix it my self since the ring gear will only cost me $45 that is being new.
trying taking the starter off and looking at the gears to see if they are worn or missing any teeth that are suppose to be on the gear and if so then u have to replace the ring gear.

 

The job is pretty easy, just do it your self and spend the money you are saving and buy a quality life time starter and a heavy duty fly wheel. 730$ sounds like a rip off, but I never paid someone else to do my work, anyhow good luck with it.