How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

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DanHolman
Joined: Sun 10 Jul, 2016 10:43
Posts: 45

  Z3 roadster 1.9

How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by DanHolman »

Hi all,

I'm trying to avoid removing the inlet manifold etc.... in order to remove the starter motor.

The bolts are out but the motor won't wiggle out. I've soaked the seam with WD over night. After two days, that has not worked. I think that the locator pin has corroded and seized it. There is a 0.6 mm gap to the casing above it. I might be able to cut through the pin. This gap looks intentional for this very reason...

Apart from soaking it a bit longer- what more can I do?

:shock:
gookah
Z Register member
Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by gookah »

A bigger hammer, If its broken, then there is no harm in leathering it some more
Image

Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
John Wilson
Joined: Fri 12 Jun, 2009 12:11
Posts: 252

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Diss

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by John Wilson »

How about putting the car in gear and rocking it back and forward?
John Wilson
Joined: Fri 12 Jun, 2009 12:11
Posts: 252

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Diss

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by John Wilson »

Oh sorry, I was thinking the starter was engaged. If its not,that wont do any good.
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by mrscalex »

It will almost certainly be the locating pin seized. You can drift it out from the other side. I've had to do that twice but it was on engines out of the car. So I can't think if there is room to do it in situ.

You can use all the releasing fluid you want but it won't really help. It gets very stuck.

When you put it back together you need to clean the hole and pin out so it's a looser fit.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
DanHolman
Joined: Sun 10 Jul, 2016 10:43
Posts: 45

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by DanHolman »

Is it just a free floating pin?

I've seen a pic of someone punching it out from the front side after removing the manifold. Can it be punched out from either the front or rear side. And after you removed the pin did the motor assembly come away easily?

There's a gap (0.6mm) around housing where the pin is located. Could I get a hacksaw blade on it and cut through the pin?
DanHolman
Joined: Sun 10 Jul, 2016 10:43
Posts: 45

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by DanHolman »

I'm Going to try freezing the pin with a compressed air dust off can. Hopefully this will shrink it enough to break the corrosion bond.
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by mrscalex »

This tells you what you need to know. I wouldn't try and cut through it.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techart ... cement.htm
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
DanHolman
Joined: Sun 10 Jul, 2016 10:43
Posts: 45

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by DanHolman »

Punching the pin requires taking out the manifold. I've tried freezing the pin. I can see it through the gap in the housing. So far no luck. I'm going to see if I can wind it out using a g clamp.

I can see the rusty pin through the gap and I can gat a hacksaw on the pin through the gap. What do you think of just cutting through the pin? This means that half will be stuck in the trans. housing but with the starter out I might be able to punch it out.

Is the pin essential when installing a new starter?
:shock:
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by mrscalex »

You'd only have 2 mounting points without the pin which may not be enough to stop the torque unseating it I guess. I wouldn't leave it out.

I'll have a look on my brother's 1.9 tomorrow (if i remember - busy day) and see if I can figure out something. I'm not sure cutting it is either wise or easy.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
DanHolman
Joined: Sun 10 Jul, 2016 10:43
Posts: 45

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by DanHolman »

Success!

I have successfully removed the starter motor from the BMW Z3 1.9L M44 4 cylinder engine without removing the manifold.

I will write up in detail about the procedure soon. I'm off to buy a cigar!

Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated. If anyone has any questions let me know.

Persistence.

As my first girlfriend used to say- Don't flake out half way through a job.

:P
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by mrscalex »

My other half usually says don't even bother starting the job these days.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
gookah
Z Register member
Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by gookah »

DanHolman wrote: Fri 11 Aug, 2017 11:53 Success!

I have successfully removed the starter motor from the BMW Z3 1.9L M44 4 cylinder engine without removing the manifold.

I will write up in detail about the procedure soon. I'm off to buy a cigar!

Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated. If anyone has any questions let me know.

Persistence.

As my first girlfriend used to say- Don't flake out half way through a job.

:P
you hit it harder then..... :D
Image

Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
Hendem03876
Joined: Thu 10 Aug, 2017 23:32
Posts: 3

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by Hendem03876 »

mrscalex wrote:This tells you what you need to know. I wouldn't try and cut through it.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techart ... cement.htm
Cutting through it leaves two messes, you can also throw some heat on the surrounding area, I would also CAREFULLY drill out the keyway or line up hole and replace it with a slightly larger piece or rod stock.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

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stevov
Joined: Sun 21 Dec, 2014 15:56
Posts: 182

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Contact:

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Post by stevov »

Loosen the starter bolts 3or 4 turns then with socket on extension hit the bolt with a hammer one then the other. Once the starter has moved remove bolts fully
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