Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starter danger and a useful wrench

[Crowhurst]

This morning I changed the bent fuel rubber hose between the fuel lift pump and the pre-filter. I've always found the top starter bolt to be very time-consuming and awkward, even with the recommended 16 pt ring wrench. Today I used a Stanley 10mm ratchet ring wrench, (pictured) purchased in a set from WalMart. It made removing and installing the three bolts very easy. I wish I'd discovered this wrench 13 years ago.

I also discovered the pictured damage to the insulation on the linking starter cable. The starter was new less than 5 years ago and 30,000 miles. That's not good. I covered it with a plastic tube. This would be worth checking, as the damage was about 1/8" from the grounded body.

Nick

 

[hsmith]

10mm has always been the tool unless the bolts have been changed, like mine.

 

[Crowhurst]

10mm has always been the tool unless the bolts have been changed, like mine.

Certainly. My point is that with a 10 mm ratchet ring wrench, the wrench does not need to be awkwardly relocated many times in an out-of-sight location, as does the usual 16 pt 10mm wrench that is advertised as being specific to this task.
Nick.

 

[S.Morris]

Is it from rotted rubber or overheated rubber? What brand or place of manufacture of starter?

 

[Cosmo]

Well when they decided to drop the Cummins in a pickup I don't know how many ratcheting box wrenches were available... but yeah, break it loose with a normal 12 point (16 in the Queen's English?) then run it out with a ratcheting box.

 

[mwilson]

Is it from rotted rubber or overheated rubber? What brand or place of manufacture of starter?

Mine looked the same way on the '97 when I pulled it out for a contact change. I put a piece of heat shrink on it and sealed it. The electrical cable itself was in fine shape.



I couldn't really decide if it was a result of overheating/high current draw or if the casing had simply rotted/broken down.



Mike.

 

[CCiatteo]

You have any fuel leaks or do you spill fuel when changing the filter? That could accelerate the rubber becoming brittle like that as well.

 

[Crowhurst]

Is it from rotted rubber or overheated rubber? What brand or place of manufacture of starter?

The rubber appears rotted, with no sign of melting. My receipt from the local Chiefland, FL, NAPA is dated March 2008, and just states "NEW START", presumably to differentiate it from "rebuilt". There is no indication of brand or manufacturer on the receipt, nor, as I recall, on the starter. The full retail price was $355. 15, with part # 4N-6428.
Cosmo, yes, 12 pt, my brain was in neutral!
Chris, I have the Prime-Lok fuel filter locator, so fuel has not dripped down there, and I have no fuel leaks, having replaced and re-routed the fuel lines, and being very careful about such matters. I do a lot of preventative maintenance, which is how I discovered this starter damage. I was replacing the rubber hose between the pre-filter and lift pump because it is a potential leak source, not because of an actual leak. I conclude that the insulation of the starter cable was constructed of an unsuitable material.
Nick.

 

[mwilson]

The rubber appears rotted, with no sign of melting. My receipt from the local Chiefland, FL, NAPA is dated March 2008, and just states "NEW START", presumably to differentiate it from "rebuilt". There is no indication of brand or manufacturer on the receipt, nor, as I recall, on the starter. The full retail price was $355. 15, with part # 4N-6428.

Cosmo, yes, 12 pt, my brain was in neutral!

Chris, I have the Prime-Lok fuel filter locator, so fuel has not dripped down there, and I have no fuel leaks, having replaced and re-routed the fuel lines, and being very careful about such matters. I do a lot of preventative maintenance, which is how I discovered this starter damage. I was replacing the rubber hose between the pre-filter and lift pump because it is a potential leak source, not because of an actual leak. I conclude that the insulation of the starter cable was constructed of an unsuitable material.

Nick.

That would be a Wilson/BBB starter according to that part number. NAPA sells a pile of them. That should carry a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. The "N" in the part number designates it as new.



http://www.wilsonautoelectric.com/



Starter itself... . http://ws1.wilsonautoelectric.com/ec03/part.php?part=91-29-5245



Mike.

 

[Crowhurst]

That would be a Wilson/BBB starter according to that part number. NAPA sells a pile of them. That should carry a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. The "N" in the part number designates it as new. Mike.

Mike, that's very useful, thank you. I'll enquire at the NAPA store next week to see if I can get a new starter.

Nick.

 

[Crowhurst]

I checked at NAPA and Wilson, and the warranty for this starter on a diesel Ram is two years.
Nick.

 

[mwilson]

I checked at NAPA and Wilson, and the warranty for this starter on a diesel Ram is two years.

Nick.

Nick,



I handle some BBB/Wilson product in the heavy duty line, I'll shoot an e-mail to the rep.



No promises, but I will poke the nest for you.



Mike.

 

[Crowhurst]

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate you trying. This is a dangerous fault. Five years ago I had a grass fire under the truck from an insulation breakdown where the lead from the battery joined the previous starter, which is why I bought the present one. There's a shed load of current on those lines.
Nick.

 

[mwilson]

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate you trying. This is a dangerous fault. Five years ago I had a grass fire under the truck from an insulation breakdown where the lead from the battery joined the previous starter, which is why I bought the present one. There's a shed load of current on those lines.

Nick.

I must ask, given the location shown in your signature.



Would you still be dealing with the NAPA in FLA or are you across the pond right now???



Mike.

 

[Crowhurst]

Mike, I'm snow-birding close to the NAPA dealer in Chiefland, FLA, where I bought the starter. I keep the truck in the USA to use each winter.
Nick.

 

[KBurgoyne]

on a personal note i dont like to see (taiwan) stamped on my tools so i got two sets of gear wrenches. http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/wrenches/ratcheting/combination/.
expensive , but top of the line with a lifetime warranty.