Adam OJ
SILVER Star
I have recently developed the dreaded intermittent click on start and then on the 3rd or 4rd try, it starts up fine. I chalked it up to 230k and the starter contacts going bad. I ordered a new starter (while I'm in there...) and got going on the project. Using the great instructions from this thread, I got the intake manifold off without issue.
I started loosening the passenger side mounting bolt. The bolt was incredibly tight, and while working on it, the whole starter moved. Yes, it moved. If I had to guess it had a 1/8" gap from the mounting surface to the front of the starter. so I tried twisting it and it actually pivoted on the passenger side bolt. I took a video of the movement because I found it to be rather entertaining.
I wrenched the one bolt off - having to use a breaker bar the whole way. I also noticed that this is a reman starter, so it isn't factory. I have owned this truck since 200k, and it now has 230k. Just a little over 3 years for me.
So... the Starter is out, I have the new one ready to go in, but I only have one bolt and it has threads filled with aluminum. I'm assuming whoever installed the starter last time overtightened it, stripped out the starter, tried to remove it but couldn't, checked to see if it would start, when it did, they put it all back together and called it good. That's my theory at least.
I made the trip to the dealer today (Autonation Toyota on Arapahoe for the Denver folks) and they gave a concerted effort to look it up, but ultimately came up with a bolt that looks like it is off of a 4runner (but still the 4.7, so maybe it would work?) and another part that I can't find a pic for. They of course didn't have either one in stock. They basically told me to go to Napa and see if they could match it.
Does anybody have the actual part number for those bolts? Has anybody used a suitable substitute? Has anybody seen a Starter that is just rattling around in there ( and still starting!!). It has to have been this way for a very long time. I never heard anything suspicious when starting it up and it always started strong up until a few days when I parked it so as to not risk getting stranded somewhere. I'll post the video below when I get it off of my phone.
Thanks in advance for any help. My current plan is to make a visit to my local Napa tomorrow to see if they can come close. I would much prefer to have the factory bolts for this...
I started loosening the passenger side mounting bolt. The bolt was incredibly tight, and while working on it, the whole starter moved. Yes, it moved. If I had to guess it had a 1/8" gap from the mounting surface to the front of the starter. so I tried twisting it and it actually pivoted on the passenger side bolt. I took a video of the movement because I found it to be rather entertaining.
I wrenched the one bolt off - having to use a breaker bar the whole way. I also noticed that this is a reman starter, so it isn't factory. I have owned this truck since 200k, and it now has 230k. Just a little over 3 years for me.
So... the Starter is out, I have the new one ready to go in, but I only have one bolt and it has threads filled with aluminum. I'm assuming whoever installed the starter last time overtightened it, stripped out the starter, tried to remove it but couldn't, checked to see if it would start, when it did, they put it all back together and called it good. That's my theory at least.
I made the trip to the dealer today (Autonation Toyota on Arapahoe for the Denver folks) and they gave a concerted effort to look it up, but ultimately came up with a bolt that looks like it is off of a 4runner (but still the 4.7, so maybe it would work?) and another part that I can't find a pic for. They of course didn't have either one in stock. They basically told me to go to Napa and see if they could match it.
Does anybody have the actual part number for those bolts? Has anybody used a suitable substitute? Has anybody seen a Starter that is just rattling around in there ( and still starting!!). It has to have been this way for a very long time. I never heard anything suspicious when starting it up and it always started strong up until a few days when I parked it so as to not risk getting stranded somewhere. I'll post the video below when I get it off of my phone.
Thanks in advance for any help. My current plan is to make a visit to my local Napa tomorrow to see if they can come close. I would much prefer to have the factory bolts for this...
