Check That Primary Vent! & Starter Issues

[Pu239]

Howdy from sunny New Mexico.
I posted about a month ago about a starter issue. All was OK w/EHC & solenoid voltage, but starter would not run when directly connected to battery. Take a look at attached pix - the starter, especially around brushes, was filled w/about 2 tablespoons of black gunk. Cleaned it up, but only ran slowly w/o much torque.
So, what's the deal? About 15k miles ago, the alternator stator disintegrated (happily when under warranty) and spread metal all over primary case. After thinking over & over about how oil (making gunk) could get into the starter, the light bulb went off - check the primary vent screen. Yep, totally blocked - even 40 or 50 psi from my air compressor could not get any air flow through it. So, seems the stator metal (plus maybe clutch debris) clogged the vent.
Moral of the story: check that vent every now & then to make sure it's actually venting. It's a nut/screen with a hollow setscrew on the back/inside of the inner primary case - near the shifter connections.
Be careful putting it back on - tighten gently - broken fitting lesson learned the hard way!
$400+ in new starter! Lesson learned!
Cheers,
Louie/Pu239

 

[KDF]

Need a better description of where that vent is... picture would help.


KDF

 

[Eric]

on the inner primary.. between the engine & tranny...

 

[Raywood]

You paid to much for that starter!!! Just saying. All the BDM starters are re-built and can be had from our BD parts guy on eBay for under $140 bucks. I just scored one yesterday for $63 so have it as a spare.
But you are right about the primary vent. Ensure its clean and venting and you shouldn't have a problem.

Howdy from sunny New Mexico.
I posted about a month ago about a starter issue. All was OK w/EHC & solenoid voltage, but starter would not run when directly connected to battery. Take a look at attached pix - the starter, especially around brushes, was filled w/about 2 tablespoons of black gunk. Cleaned it up, but only ran slowly w/o much torque.
So, what's the deal? About 15k miles ago, the alternator stator disintegrated (happily when under warranty) and spread metal all over primary case. After thinking over & over about how oil (making gunk) could get into the starter, the light bulb went off - check the primary vent screen. Yep, totally blocked - even 40 or 50 psi from my air compressor could not get any air flow through it. So, seems the stator metal (plus maybe clutch debris) clogged the vent.
Moral of the story: check that vent every now & then to make sure it's actually venting. It's a nut/screen with a hollow setscrew on the back/inside of the inner primary case - near the shifter connections.
Be careful putting it back on - tighten gently - broken fitting lesson learned the hard way!
$400+ in new starter! Lesson learned!
Cheers,
Louie/Pu239

 

[05chop]

All models have this primary vent if so got a pic? I know B/D had a service bulletin on installing a vent(band aid) in those that didn't have one. I have seen them in the inspection cover and mine has a light coat of silicone around the gasket and no vent in the primary plate. I have a spare Ebay starter not sure if it has the new seal on the shaft though.

 

[Raywood]

All models have this primary vent if so got a pic?

Gas Man has a photo of it in one of his How To's but don't remember which.