While you are in there stuff (replacing starter)

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10 Year
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Hey Guys,

Soon I will be bringing the truck ('98 LX 470) in for a starter replacement, so what else can/should be done while he down there?

The truck has 194,000 miles.

I have already replaced the Coolant-T hose but what else needs to be changed/replaced?

Any recommendations as to courcing this starter?

Is this link OK?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Land...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2314b4b336

Thanks
 
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Have you already had the Timing Belt/Water pump done around the 180k mark? Not really related to the starter job but since tearing into pretty good might as well get it all done.

Other than that - check condition of coolant and vacuum hoses along with the various clamps. Some of them can brittle with that much age and have small vacuum leaks that are a pain in the @$$ to diagnose.

Good luck!
 
At least one member here has installed a pigtail cable directly from the starter motor contact side of the motor and ran it up behind the engine so it just sticks up and is accessible (with the end sealed off and insulated). This is to be used in an emergency in case your starter contacts fail. You can use a jumper from the battery directly to that pigtail cable to start the engine.
I will surely do that when I get in there to replace my starter contacts.
You may be able to find it in a search.
 
Funny that I had the major service done including the timing belt etc and soon after, the valve covers starting to leak (could have been the toyota master emchanic's s***ty job) doing the main service and not torquing it right leading to the valve covers leaking.

Anyway, now I need the starter motor. I thought about the starter contacts but decided to just go ahead and replace the whole motor instead.
 
Just did my starter myself last week. I didn't replace anything else while I was in there, except the power steering vacuum valve nipples broke, so I replaced it. The plastic is getting brittle everywhere on my truck.
 
Labor wise, does it not require the same time so why not replace it? Besides ebay has $86 rebuilt Denso unit so why not?

Please advice?
 
Finding a new starter is all but impossible it seems. So for reman, based upon my experience, I suggest buying one from one of your local parts supply houses that features a lifetime warranty. Sorry beno :D...the reman Toyota starter didn't make the cut. Ditto for alternators.
 
My starter was a remanufactured unit from O'reiley auto parts. In stock and $71 plus a $20 core charge. No brainer to replace the starter and not just the contacts IMO
 
spressomon said:
Finding a new starter is all but impossible it seems. So for reman, based upon my experience, I suggest buying one from one of your local parts supply houses that features a lifetime warranty. Sorry beno :D...the reman Toyota starter didn't make the cut. Ditto for alternators.
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That may be luck of the draw, it's not like there is some special Toyota factory the remanufactures starters and alternators. My guess is the "Toyota" reman's are resold from co's that remanufacture all brands of bolt on stuff. That said, I agree go with the big box auto parts store that offers a lifetime warranty.
 
rusty_tlc said:
That may be luck of the draw, it's not like there is some special Toyota factory the remanufactures starters and alternators. My guess is the "Toyota" reman's are resold from co's that remanufacture all brands of bolt on stuff. That said, I agree go with the big box auto parts store that offers a lifetime warranty.
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I asked my local Toyota Part Department and Toyota reman starters and alternators are from Denso. The exact reman process is not known.

Denso reman's are not necessarily sold at the other parts houses. Lots of reman companies out there, and many of their "lifetime warranties" are not worth much when you are the guy doing the labor or paying for it. I've been down this road with air pumps on 60's and replaced three within 18 months, all with the "lifetime warranty" from Cardone. Worthless. I don't have time for all that....
 
FWIW I got 2-years out of a Toyota reman starter on my 100. Yes it coukld be an anomaly for sure. Then again...I didn't fare any better on the Toyota reman alternator that didn't go 2 years...

Supposedly, per the generator rebuild shop in Reno that sold it to me, my current "new" not reman'd Nippon Denso starter still sounds like it wants to spin through the block...in a good way ;)...fingers crossed and wrapping on wood :D

The starter did appear brand new but I've never seen them listed brand new for the 2UZ-FE anywhere. Mostly an inconsequential FWIW :D
 
When I was selling them, never saw a brand new one. Never had a reman come back either.

Rock Auto has denso remans for $100 with core returned. $140 without.
 
spressomon said:
FWIW I got 2-years out of a Toyota reman starter on my 100. Yes it coukld be an anomaly for sure. Then again...I didn't fare any better on the Toyota reman alternator that didn't go 2 years...

Supposedly, per the generator rebuild shop in Reno that sold it to me, my current "new" not reman'd Nippon Denso starter still sounds like it wants to spin through the block...in a good way ;)...fingers crossed and wrapping on wood :D

The starter did appear brand new but I've never seen them listed brand new for the 2UZ-FE anywhere. Mostly an inconsequential FWIW :D
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How long ago did we replace my starter? I don't even remember if it was a Napa, Oriely, or Toyota part. Still cranking strong. This thread go me thinking about all the remanufactured parts I've used over the years. Some of the stuff on my FJ40 has lasted over 100K miles.
 
spressomon said:
Finding a new starter is all but impossible it seems. So for reman, based upon my experience, I suggest buying one from one of your local parts supply houses that features a lifetime warranty. Sorry beno :D...the reman Toyota starter didn't make the cut. Ditto for alternators.
Click to expand...

GDenver said:
My starter was a remanufactured unit from O'reiley auto parts. In stock and $71 plus a $20 core charge. No brainer to replace the starter and not just the contacts IMO
Click to expand...

I can get a denso Reman off the ebay with 2 year warranty for $86 or an Ultima brand from O'Reilly's for $71 + $20 core with life time warranty?

Does the brand matters or shall I go with the warranty, 2 yrs off ebay vs Life time off a local O'Reilly store?
 
From what I learned while doing a little research about rebuilt starters and alternators a few years ago: The reman shops don't, to the best of my knowledge, disclose what parts/components get replaced beyond the basics like bearings, brushes, plunger, etc. At the end of the day IMHO I don't think you fully know what you're buying which is why I lean toward a longer guarantee...all things being equal.

Its a crap shoot either way...and yes doing repeated labor for short lived alternators and starters is a PITA...but other than 100% new I don't know how making a decision on reman based upon the only differentiator being seller brand can be the basis for an improved decision. I'd much prefer to believe Toyota brand <name your part here> is the best value; however my experience, mostly in the alternator and starter arena, has not born this out.

If/when it fails I'd prefer to walk up to the counter of the local parts store rather than shipping it back to an eBay seller...
 
^ FYI: Starters have been known to be bad/non-working right out of the box. If you can verify the thing at least responds to 12v input before you go through the trouble of installing it to discover it doesn't work...at least might save a little misery ;)
 
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