Has anyone ever attempted to replace a starter on 1999 996 3.4. I've searched the archives without luck. I'm very mechanically inclined so I would like some feedback from somebody who has performed this job before. Is it very tedious? Please chime in for me somebody.

Thanks,

Harry

 

I was looking for the same thing you should try RennTech.org they have a lot on there

 

YES! Found it on the RennTech site thank goodness!

 

Send me the link because i couldn't find it haha

 

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...g-the-starter/


Here it is

 

They are quite the pain. Enjoy the learning expirience though!

 

Installed the starter today!! No more hang ups on the bendix with that grinding noise. Really a 4 beer job along with a few cuss words with two bleeding knuckles.

 

How much and where did you get the starter?

 

The starter was $ 198.00 for a remanufactured Bosche plus a "core" charge that is refunded when you turn in the old starter. The starter was purchased at vertexauto.com. They're in my town in Miami, so it's no big deal getting there. They ship worldwide though.

 

This is a late answer and you should have already replaced it by now. The answer is no, remove the negative cable on the battery, remove the universal belt, remove the alterantor,
remover the oil dipstick, and note to get at the screws you'll need very long socket ext's
to remove the starter bolt on the right from the right side of the throttle body and that is all.
With some patience you can do it.

 

Thanks 2fas4u! It is a bit late as I already replaced the starter. Just wanted you to know that I replaced the starter without removing the belt and alternator. I felt I had enough clearance to do so. The bolt on the lower left holding the starter was a bit problematic though.

 

Nice to know.

 

Changed mine yesterday. That bottom bolt was a ***** haha. No more grinding noise on starts and it starts right up now !

 

I told you! Having the right tools means everything. I found out the CEL was from a vacuum hose that I put back incorrectly. It was causing an erratic idle, but now she's all fixed. Yeah, nice not having to hear that embarrasing grinding noise coming out of a car like ours. A mechanic told me that I could have just greased up the bendix and that would have fixed it. I just rather do it once.

 

This was a ball buster! Went relatively smoothly, but very time consuming, lots of scrapes and scratches. I was able to do the job without loosening or removing the alternator. I was able to start the bolt on the lower left by reaching in by hand, then using long extensions to tighten. Most challenging was removing and replacing the throttle body tube but now that it was done once, I think it would be easier subsequently.

The trick I found to get the throttle body tube back in is to put the boot on the left (driver) side manifold, and push it as far back over the manifold as it can go. then attach the right boot to the throttle body tube and tighten the clamp. Slide the tube with the clamped boot over the right side manifold as far as it shall go, then push the left tide tube past the recessed boot on the left side.

The full starter replacement took me over 3 hours.

Upon removing the old starter, there was a lot of lateral play in the gear and shaft at the end of the removed starter. The new starter was very tight. I was getting an uncomfortable sound upon starting. It was fine while cranking but when the engine caught, you would hear the sound upon release.

I had some trouble about a year ago when hot and purchased a new battery. The engine would strain to crank when hot (but there was no bad noise.) The new battery helped. I did not realize at the time it was a failing starter. The engine now cranks in all conditions very fast and freely, and all uncomfortable noises are gone.

I went with a brand new Bosch starter from Amazon. Porsche 996 2004 Carrera.