Cdm2018 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 How many Evora owners have experienced starter motor failures ? I am on my 3rd in my 4 years of ownership ! my car is going on AA flat bed to my lotus garage I discussed the starter motor failure which they had apparently replaced less than 2 years old and my car done less than 10k so how many starter motor have failed and is there an issue with lotus part ? should I ask for another brand of starter motor for the 4th one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agentdr8 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 I'm on my 2nd starter unit, but 4th starter yoke. The brushes in the motor are a wear item, but typically last many years. One of the main reasons they tend to go bad sooner than later, is because of the chimney vent pipe that sits above the starter, and if you still have the OE cardboard tube covered in tin foil, it tends to crack and drip water directly on or around the starter, accelerating corrosion. Instead of replacing the starter as a whole, I would just pick up some extra yokes (also known as starter motor brush holders) from eBay, which are relatively cheap (~$10-$20USD last I checked). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 As this is my third failure in four years will these yoke failures be common in all three cases ? i looked at the unit yesterday and it’s most shiny part of the engine bay no signs of corrosion my engine vent pipe is like many paint flaking but appears intact no damage but can’t say it drips water however my boot always been damp so water ingress could be a factor into engine bay ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post agentdr8 Posted March 8 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 8 It's possible in all 3 cases, the starter could have been saved just with some disassembly and cleaning or R&R of the brushes. Starter motors aren't super complicated devices; just a high-torque electric motor attached to a gear reduction set. The corrosion would be inside the motor housing and end cap. The brushes put off a fine dust on every start, and mixed with water/heat/air, it creates a grimy paste of sorts, which then makes them stick. Over time, the gap between the brushes and armature grows, and then you get in a situation where there's not enough contact to perform the starting. It used to be fairly commonplace to have starter and alternator repair shops that would tear down the assemblies and rebuild them, at a significantly reduced cost compared to a brand new (or reman'd) unit, but they're much harder to find these days. Luckily for us, our starter motors aren't complicated and R&Ring the brushes is pretty simple. Just remember to disconnect the battery leads prior to pulling the starter out 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 As the car is now with lotus garage it’s in their hands I don’t know if the part has been reconditioned I assume from what they told me it was replaced so going on that premise three starter motors have failed in 4 years now if the starter motor hasn’t been changed and the solenoid has been just released by striking it then I have been mislead therefore the unit should had been replaced in first place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agentdr8 Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Most repair shops will stock or order whole parts only, as identified by the OE parts lists. Lotus does not break down the starter motor into separate part #s for its components, so it stands to reason they would order complete starter units, even for something as minor as bad brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 14 minutes ago, Cdm2018 said: now if the starter motor hasn’t been changed and the solenoid has been just released by striking it then I have been mislead therefore the unit should had been replaced in first place? If they've billed you for the supply and fit of a new starter motor that it what they would have done. Otherwise it would be fraud. 2 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Yes, when my started motor failed Craig Moncrieff in Embra simple replaced the knackered unit with a new one. I think he has kept my old one so I can send away to one of these fast disappearing alternator/starter repair shops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 47 minutes ago, Bibs said: If they've billed you for the supply and fit of a new starter motor that it what they would have done. Otherwise it would be fraud. As I mentioned I was told it was replaced as I never received any bill or paperwork and I go on trust of someone who been given the job. I now await the investigation into why the replaced unit failed & hopefully a replacement unit is going to be installed. Maybe I have been just purely unlucky , says it all with my luck today we had briefing on possible redundancies needed to balance the books 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 A main dealer not giving you an invoice is an issue. Why didn't they? Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 Don’t know ? I had my intake fitted few weeks ago and they didn’t invoice me I just paid on the card machine and got the little print of that ! They did say their computers were not working to be honest I didn’t chase as I got engrossed in my wedding arrangements last few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 10 Author Report Share Posted March 10 On 08/03/2022 at 20:56, Bibs said: A main dealer not giving you an invoice is an issue. Why didn't they? Well I finally got confirmation that my starter motor replacement can proceed via warranty lotus couldn’t find the last replacement paperwork and I didn’t get a copy see Bibs comment above I am trusting soul so work on that principle and thankfully all is going to be sorted and I thank Central Lotus for this hopefully there’s a starter motor in stock room which might mean car is ready this time next week ? trying to sort out how my family can offer a room to Ukrainian family 🙏 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM TdM Posted March 10 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 10 When I got my starter motor replaced, it was mentioned that it's a relatively common fault so I think the Evora is at least a little more prone to starter motor issues. Yours does sound extreme though! Annoyingly, it's a Lotus specific part as they modify the Toyota unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 Personally, I always ask for a detailed printout of any work done on my cars. This goes in a folder with other pertinent items such as V5's, MOT's and receipts It certainly makes a sale easier should/when you come to part it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 10 Author Report Share Posted March 10 24 minutes ago, TdM said: When I got my starter motor replaced, it was mentioned that it's a relatively common fault so I think the Evora is at least a little more prone to starter motor issues. Yours does sound extreme though! Annoyingly, it's a Lotus specific part as they modify the Toyota unit. I didn’t know it was specific to lotus ! all indication seem to point it was a standard Toyota part but I don’t know much when it comes to mechanical matters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agentdr8 Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 IIRC, the modification is the mounting bracket, to orient the starter opposite to how Toyota uses it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mg4lotus Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 The engine runs in reverse 😲 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 10 Author Report Share Posted March 10 Well all I want is part to be in stock and fitted as soon as it’s possible 😮 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 (edited) 1 hour ago, Cdm2018 said: I didn’t know it was specific to lotus ! all indication seem to point it was a standard Toyota part but I don’t know much when it comes to mechanical matters On 26/06/2019 at 14:51, Bibs said: "Just as an FYI on this, my starter has gone today and I've ordered a new one from Lotus. Since the adapter plate is unique to the Evora, Lotus have to machine the starters so you can't use any alternatives." Edited March 10 by Rambo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r3nault Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 Issue common to all Evoras or mainly later models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agentdr8 Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 Wouldn't say it's common, but all vehicles will encounter starter issues at some point, since they're a normal wear item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 I've been driving nearly 50 years and never experienced starter motor problems or replacement until I got the Evora last year. Same goes for the clutch - never had a replacement clutch in 50 years - but the previous owner of my Evora did So, either my driving is good or sedentary or there are problems with early Lotus Evora's and starter motors and clutches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdm2018 Posted March 10 Author Report Share Posted March 10 My driving can be described as infrequent and sedentary so maybe this accounts for 3 starter motor failures in 4 years ? Lol even my lotus garage told me they can count on one hand the number of starter motor changed over all modern lotus cars in the last 10 years so I am statistical very unlucky ? 😳 Or is there some odd with my car that even my lotus technician can’t root out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 What are the symptoms you are getting with all of these failed starters? Are you sure that they have failed? Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted March 14 Report Share Posted March 14 Turn on the ignition. Click. Nothing else. Just like a dead battery which was my first thought as it was also dead. Charged up battery again with a full charge. Still nothing. Tried a booster pack but still no joy I then left the car for several days and then tried again. Click. Nothing else. And the battery was discharged again too so I suspected that the starter motor was/had been causing parasitic battery discharge before failure New starter motor and the car starts 1st turn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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