Starter Advice

[W Powell]

Ive been reading how to access my starter on the forum. Who thought to put it within the engine...

I digress. I have 280k on the old steed. Some recommend just contacts as these are robust starters but I wonder if I should replace the entire unit with a rebuilt Denso due to age and milage to ensure I do not have to do it again. What do you guys think? - you always have good advice.

Thanks in advance

William

 

[aljollano]

If I were you I would do whatever gives me more peace of mind.

Just my 0.2 cents.

A.J

 

[Bisho]

It’s quite a bit of labor, and of course you can’t really check it until you’ve put it all back together. That led me to get the reman. They really aren’t that expensive, and I sure don’t want to do the job again anytime soon.

Don’t forget intake manifolds gaskets and the two coolant pipe gaskets.

 

[W Powell]

Can anyone point to a good source for a remain Denso? I found a few but am suspicious because they are less than I thought they should be

 

[AlpineAccess]

I end up getting most of my parts from cruiser outfitters or McGeorge Toyota.

If Stevinson or Pedersen Toyota here locally quit being such a pain for pricing and parts availability I'll give them the business.

 

[Malleus]

If there is a diesel engine service center (or two) near you, look into having them rebuild your starter. You'll be surprised what the markup on rebuilt starters is.

 

[Brandon Ryder]

I was going to replace my contacts on my starter, but once i got in there, discovered one of the bearings was also shot. Ended up buying a denso from Napa after all. I kept the old starter and will replace the bearing for a full rebuild to keep as a spare just in case, even though I'll likely never have to do it again.

If the vehicle being down for the minimum time is important to you, just get the denso. If you just get contacts and discover you need a full starter once it's tore apart, you'll have to order one and it may take a day or two.
I think i bought a new one though, not a rebuilt iirc.

 

[gregnash]

Like others have said, it comes down to what is going to give you the most piece of mind. Really getting to the starter is a bit laborious but not that bad. While the FSM says the intake comes off as TWO pieces you can pull the entire thing as one piece. I had to replace my intake gasket (lower) just before the 4th of July and took me and my buddy about an hour to do it. He is a Toyota tech, but said it had been some years since he did one. So honestly it ain't all that bad, mainly awkward to get to the bolts.

Toyota sells the new Reman'd or the brush kits, so it is up to you what you want to do, either way it has to come out. Denso units can be found at PartsGeek, Partsouq, McGeorge and all the other usual suspects. But here is the thing, you are going to need other gaskets as well so I would possibly go with a one-stop shop like Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters so he and his team can get you setup with everything you need.

 

[flintknapper]

I was going to replace my contacts on my starter, but once i got in there, discovered one of the bearings was also shot. Ended up buying a denso from Napa after all. I kept the old starter and will replace the bearing for a full rebuild to keep as a spare just in case, even though I'll likely never have to do it again.

^^^^^

You were smart. IMO....IF the starter is the original or one with very many miles, it should be torn down to a minimum level and inspected. Otherwise you are just tempting fate. I know it is commonplace on the forum to keep 'parroting' (just replace the contacts) on starters and 'brushes' on alternators.

And yes, often times that will 'get you going again' but why not just repair it properly...or replace if you don't have the means to repair?

Like you.....I discovered that my OEM (at 186K) was in need of several things, NOT just contacts. So I replaced with a new starter and rebuilt the old one for a spare.

Don't forget to bench test BEFORE reinstalling or putting away for a spare:

 

[Bisho]

Rockauto was the best price I found.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I tore mine down, inspected, and rebuilt it with two new bearings, contact plates, plunger, brushes, cover gasket, and o-rings…because I do not value my time. The clutch assembly and armature were still in good shape. Had either of them been on their last leg, I would’ve just bought a reman Denso unit from RockAuto.

 

[medtro]

Pulling intake to replace starter every 280k miles isn't too bad. Other model requires pulling intake to replace spark plugs or ignition coils every 50k miles. Get the connector for the wire that connect to the starter. There is a chance the tab of that connector will be broken.

 

[katit]

I tore mine down, inspected, and rebuilt it with two new bearings, contact plates, plunger, brushes, cover gasket, and o-rings…because I do not value my time. The clutch assembly and armature were still in good shape. Had either of them been on their last leg, I would’ve just bought a reman Denso unit from RockAuto.

Same here. I trust my "reman" with OE parts better than somebody else's

 

[Wilsil]

It’s quite a bit of labor, and of course you can’t really check it until you’ve put it all back together. That led me to get the reman. They really aren’t that expensive, and I sure don’t want to do the job again anytime soon.

Don’t forget intake manifolds gaskets and the two coolant pipe gaskets.

Maybe in the USA, but here in Australia a genuine Toyota starter cost me $612 AUD, around $440 USD.

 

[iliveinmylc]

It’s quite a bit of labor, and of course you can’t really check it until you’ve put it all back together.

You can definitely check it before you've put it back together. I recommend it for sure. Here's what I did: just put back on the intake manifold to cover up the intakes (literally just throw it on and don't bolt it back in. Didn't even plug the fuel injector clips back in. All you need is your battery connected back up since the starter is so early in the process. Then you need to reattach the fuel line at whichever end you pulled it off at. Most likely that end will be at the fuel pressure damper banjo bolt -- make sure that gets back on with the 2 gaskets in the right order. So fuel doesn't spew every where when the fuel pump starts up. Then go into the drivers seat and put the key to the start position for literally just a split second and verify you hear a crank. A single crank and you know it's good and working and properly connected.

One more tip : get the two NEW gaskets for the fuel pressure damper bolt. They didn't re-use well for me at all.

 

[flintknapper]

You can definitely check it before you've put it back together. I recommend it for sure. Here's what I did: just put back on the intake manifold to cover up the intakes (literally just throw it on and don't bolt it back in. Didn't even plug the fuel injector clips back in. All you need is your battery connected back up since the starter is so early in the process. Then you need to reattach the fuel line at whichever end you pulled it off at. Most likely that end will be at the fuel pressure damper banjo bolt -- make sure that gets back on with the 2 gaskets in the right order. So fuel doesn't spew every where when the fuel pump starts up. Then go into the drivers seat and put the key to the start position for literally just a split second and verify you hear a crank. A single crank and you know it's good and working and properly connected.

One more tip : get the two NEW gaskets for the fuel pressure damper bolt. They didn't re-use well for me at all.

Just 'bench test' it. You'll have it off the vehicle for control and visual inspection. Do this BEFORE and AFTER a rebuild.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Maybe in the USA, but here in Australia a genuine Toyota starter cost me $612 AUD, around $440 USD.

That’s cheaper than a genuine *new* Toyota/Denso starter here in the US. I’ve never found a new starter for under $510 stateside, but we can get Denso remans for $130-150 all day.

 

[odonekanobe]

Ok so looking to purchase a replacement also. McGeorge (and all the other Toyota sites I go to) have different starters based on manufacture date. 3/00-3/04 and hen 3/04+. Mine was manufactured in 2/04.

But McGeorge throws a $60 core so I look at Rock Auto which has a $34 core but doesn't ask me manufacture date.

Are the starters really different?

 

[Wilsil]

Out of "desperation" I gave Lexus a call for a new starter motor.
You know what?
They were cheaper then Toyota.

 

[Wilsil]

Happy to report that the car started up perfectly with the new starter.
I also did the tees, thermostat and new coolant.