Jeremy Murfitt

I have even ordered a HEAT shield.

I have ordered a het shield from Demon and will give that a go. If that fails new starter. Thanks all for the advice.

I have a Roadsport with 1.8l K Series with a starting problem. I haven't got the usual "click click" problem but on some occasions very slow turning. The battery has been checked and OK, starter motor has been reconditioned and it now turns over well, most of the time. Sometimes though it simply won't turn over sufficiently to start the engine. Leave it as while (15/20 mins) all seems normal. Is there any chance that it could be caused by oil/hydraulic pressure somehow preventing it turning? Yesterday I was caught out when at a petrol station, I jumped it to get it going yet after another hour hardish driving all OK. However before switching off the engine I did let it tick over for a few minutes. Has anyone experience of this or any ideas? After 12 months of trying to solve it getting frustrated. Thanks Jeremy

Thank you everyone for your help with this. "Stationary M25" - your wiring details were very helpful. I had wired the brown feed from the alternator to the wrong terminal on the starter motor. All running well. Shame I didn't get it right in the first place, would have saved me taking the engine out again as I had thought it was a problem with something catching in the bell housing. Live and learn. Just need some good weather now.

Thanks - I will go and start double checking the wiring.

Tony - the strter motor works absolutely fine (ie engages and disengages) as I have tested it with spark plugs disconnected. It only continues to run once the engine has fired up therefore my conclusion being it is some form of elctrical feed which is kicking in. I will check the wiring as you have suggested.

Spacer in. I assume than that the live feed is only activating itself once gthe engine is running? I am not good on electrics, could that mean I have crossed the wires on the alternator? I see from from wiring diagram that one wire runs from the alternator to the starter.

I have just had the engine out to change the clutch. All back in but I have an electrical problem. the starter motor doesn't disengage when the engine starts. Took start off and operated it, works fine. On releasing ignition switch starter stops. I put it back on, disconnected spark plus, all OK, engine turns and stops when key released. Soon as it is bolted on and engine starts it keeps running? Must be something I have got wrong on the wiring. The only other wires which have come off are the alternator. Could I have crossed wires somewhere? On the alternator is the light wire fixed to the lower terminal?

I emptied the Apollo and the filter and total is just below 6 litres. I wonder if the air return from the top of the Apollo to the cam cover is not letting the air escape and therefore not letting the Apollo tank to fill properly?

I am changing the clutch and prior to taking the engine out drained the oil. Total quantity recovered was about 5.5litres. I had checked the oil level only last week (running and warm) and the level was at the "notch". I understand the quantity should be about 7 litres. Does anyone have advice of why I only got 5.5 litres out?