I have a 91 honda civic DX, stock. I burn oil so I use superthick 20W-50 oil in the summer. I know the thicker oil wears on the starter. The starter is a Honda dealer part -- about 6 years old. I have no mechanical skill and don't even own my own tools. I have a very reasonable mechanic who happens to also own an EF (4rth generation civic0.
In january of this year i had problems starting -- especially in the cold mornings. Then the problem went away. (come to think of it, the problem went away after putting the new battery in)
Now early last week i again had a great deal of problem starting the cold engine. I often resorted to kick starting it. But then the problem went away. And now for the past few days it's been starting up. Sometimes on the first try.
Before i pay for another starter from the dealership i'd like to explore options. I've read elsewhere where some have found that they needed nothing more than a little maintenance. A little maintnenance and the starter was just fine for years.
I read about people taking the starter apart and replace the brushes. Brushes cost approximately 7 dollars. And the labor is relatively easy.
Maybe it'd benefit me to have maintenance done on the starter regardless.
I also read of someone doesn't ever buy new starters for EFs. He says that you can simply replace the worn parts on a used starter and they'll almost always work just fine.
My starter does still work fine on occaision. So i suspect that it's not completely shot. I'm wondering if it's possible to just fix it instead of replacing it. Can i get by with just having a little maintenance.
I understand that autozone will test a battery and a starter for free.
The Problem which i have:
1. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
2. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
3. I take the key out. The automatic seatbelt adjusts. Put it in again. I turn the key and a faint 'click' noise is heard.
4. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
5. I take the key out. Put it in again. I turn the key and it fires right up. It's running fine.
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Thanks for reading. I'm wondering if i should consider 'maintenance' on the starter instead of just replacing it.
In january of this year i had problems starting -- especially in the cold mornings. Then the problem went away. (come to think of it, the problem went away after putting the new battery in)
Now early last week i again had a great deal of problem starting the cold engine. I often resorted to kick starting it. But then the problem went away. And now for the past few days it's been starting up. Sometimes on the first try.
Before i pay for another starter from the dealership i'd like to explore options. I've read elsewhere where some have found that they needed nothing more than a little maintenance. A little maintnenance and the starter was just fine for years.
I read about people taking the starter apart and replace the brushes. Brushes cost approximately 7 dollars. And the labor is relatively easy.
Maybe it'd benefit me to have maintenance done on the starter regardless.
I also read of someone doesn't ever buy new starters for EFs. He says that you can simply replace the worn parts on a used starter and they'll almost always work just fine.
My starter does still work fine on occaision. So i suspect that it's not completely shot. I'm wondering if it's possible to just fix it instead of replacing it. Can i get by with just having a little maintenance.
I understand that autozone will test a battery and a starter for free.
The Problem which i have:
1. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
2. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
3. I take the key out. The automatic seatbelt adjusts. Put it in again. I turn the key and a faint 'click' noise is heard.
4. I turn the key and the engine does not turn. There is no crank over. A faint 'click' noise is heard and nothing else.
5. I take the key out. Put it in again. I turn the key and it fires right up. It's running fine.
***************************************************
Thanks for reading. I'm wondering if i should consider 'maintenance' on the starter instead of just replacing it.