After having the starter on my car go kaput at the gas station half a mile from school the morning of my last final last week.

I spent five hours today replacing the starter and my belt (the belt took less than 3 minutes, the balance was the starter.)

I'm just wondering what these German engineers are smoking when they design the engine, it's components, and how to replace/service them and where I can get this magical stuff.

It's unbelievable how deeply buried and nearly impossible to get at the starter is on the M96 engine. The problem isn't with the car, its excellent and well built, but when something breaks..... Now it's time for a beer, or two, or three.

 

Don't get me started on starters! The starter on my boat generally lasts about one year. Each time it needs to be replaced, the engine has to be pulled. Now that's a messed-up design.

 

glad to hear you got it knocked out! as always....... no pics? : P

 

Lots of room in the engine bay isn't there!

 

If you remove the throttle body and the runner it's attached to between the manifold halves, it's a rather straight forward job. I bet your second time changing it wouldn't even take 45 mins.

 

The problem wasnt removing the airbox, throttle, intake distributor, etc. as Ive done that before and replaced a starter on my 986 (which was easier to access) .

The positioning of the mounting bolts is where the trick is, as one is completely hidden from and takes a bit of patience, reaching what you can't see, mounting a 2 ft long, pivoting socket wrench through a small hole next to the generator, and having enough force to break the frozen bolt through the 3 extensions and pivot.

Not to mention it was around 15 degrees outside and I dont have a heated garage

On the account of pictures, it didn't come to mind. Then again, who would want to see an engine that needed detailing and me having two bloody knuckles?

 

I had a hard time with mine as well. The one bolt was very hard to get to. I had a bunch of swivel extensions and swivel sockets got the job done. A six pack and a shot of Jack is good post work medicine.

 

Sounds like it is time for a Tequila

 

I'd rather have a few shots of brandy, tequila is the only thing that gives me a headache... just like messing with that starter bolt...

Wait! I think I've got it! The porsche engineers must drink tequila! After a long night of drinking, they poor all their feelings and headaches into the designs the next moring. Talk about passion