Smoking from the tranny hole?? Starter toast?

[area53 at validpath.com (Jeff Toomasson)]

That's just it, Ron - this car's electrical system is a big enigma (this 
is my grey 81s, not the project - that thing starts in five cranks). 
I've covered all the bases; I've got 0 or 2 (I can't remember) gauge 
line running from the battery to the starter terminal then to the 
alterator. I've got a 4 gauge running from the alternator chassis to the 
cylinder head near the cam sprocket, a 90A alternator (admittedly used 
though), and 0 gauge running from the battery ground to the trans and 
then to the chassis. I also just added a 10 gauge from the valve cover 
to the rain tray. All of these connections are in good condition. All 
that and I still get barely 12v at the gauge with NO accessories.

The engine configuration is also kind of a hack job. The PO installed a 
3A with a ported solid lifter head, but never installed a knock sensing 
ignition. It also has some sort of fuel enrichment operated by a 
potentiometer in the center console. Be that as it may, I'm not sure 
where the timing's at. It's ran fine before set up this way....

I've got a couple of used starters hanging around the garage. I'll try 
those first.

Thanks for the input!

JT

Ron Pieper wrote:

>Jeff, check all your big battery wires: Battery, grounds, and the starter wire.  Check not only
>the connections but for corrosion where the lug grips the wire.  Also be sure your starter bolts
>are tight.  You are drawing excess current and can ruin your starter by overheating it as you have
>done. 
>
>Is the engine set up correctly?  Correct cam timing, etc?  Because if not, it can cause it to be
>harder than normal to turn over.
>
>If you have to replace the starter, get one of the permanent magnet ones, not the big old wound
>field jobs.  There are many that will fit and work well.  They spin the engine over soooo easily. 
>Look for a later model diesel starter, 1.1kW should be fine.
>
>HTH
>
>Ron
>
>--- Jeff Toomasson <area53@validpath.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>gawd - that intro could be twisted several ways...  :D
>>
>>Anyway, I sure many of you have had the symptom where you're cranking and 
>>cranking and cranking (though I really only remember having this happen on a 
>>mk1...) and then it feels like the starter's being choked ->  "rrrrtt, 
>>rrrtttt"  (it's terrible trying to phoneticize (is that even a word?) a sounds 
>>that the car is making....)
>>
>>Well after several rounds of cranking, I notice smoke coming from the tranny 
>>plug hole. At first, my mind went to the clutch, but the PO supposed installed 
>>a new one right before I bought it (couldn't be more than 1000 miles on it). 
>>And mechanically it doesn't make a lot of sense. Another few rounds of 
>>cranking finally brought on what sounded like a gnawing of gears.  I gave up 
>>because I had to get ready to spend the afternoon w/ the family.
>>
>>Does anybody have a similar experience where it _wasn't_ the starter?  I have 
>>a small window to work on cars tomorrow and I'd much prefer to install my 
>>CD/mp3 player into the M5 rather than troubleshoot this only to find out it 
>>much more than just the starter...
>>
>>Hope everyone's having a good weekend!  
>>
>>Thx, JT
>>
>>
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>>    
>>
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