Best quality starter for 300Tdi?

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
Who sells the best quality starter availabile for 300Tdi? I'm on my second starter in three years. This one was a Bosch model that I got from Robert Davis that was supposed to be pretty decent. Feels like the solenoid is sticking and sometimes I sounds like the teeth aren't catching, though I haven't pulled it to confirm.

I need something that I can rely upon out in the desert.
 

Z.G

Well-known member
That's the beauty of a manual though, just need to roll it down a hill to start it if it ever fails on you. Genuine one isn't crazy money compared to the Bosch
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
The Valeo 3.1kw is by faaar the best . It's the one that Roberts is based on . I have a pn at home they are like hens teeth tho
 

erover82

Well-known member
That's the beauty of a manual though, just need to roll it down a hill to start it if it ever fails on you. Genuine one isn't crazy money compared to the Bosch

Ok, you push.

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Series guys have the hand crank option, but Defender owners have to resort to the lawnmower start.
1599695311898.png
 
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WLNordy

Member
I really liked the 3.1kw starter until it died on me after just over 1 year. I just replaced it with a high torque starter from SDO and it turns over crazy nice. Also has a lifetime warranty. Hope to never have to do that job again, what a PITA.
 

RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
The solenoid is easily replaced on the starter you have.
Ran one for 8 years before the solenoid started acting up.
Took it apart, sanded the burnt contacts in the solenoid and put it back in.
It was still working when I sold the engine a few years ago.
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
Who sells the best quality starter availabile for 300Tdi? I'm on my second starter in three years. This one was a Bosch model that I got from Robert Davis that was supposed to be pretty decent. Feels like the solenoid is sticking and sometimes I sounds like the teeth aren't catching, though I haven't pulled it to confirm.

I need something that I can rely upon out in the desert.
I really like the valeo 3.1kw I have now. I probably didn’t do a good job of looking in the US. I purchased 2 on EBay UK. Both were brand new. When I was looking for repair parts for another starter I found a place in the UK that sells the new Valeo starters but can’t recall now the name of it.

I also have used the British Starters high torque unit and it works well but you have to clock it in a manner that makes it a little challenging to install on 300TDI. Not a problem on a 200TDI due to the use of studs as opposed to bolts. Also, there are a number of vendors that sell the British Starters that don’t label them as such. There is a rebuilder up east that makes them out of used Nippondenso units and sells them to retailers, with British Starters being probably the most well known.
 
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chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
That's the beauty of a manual though, just need to roll it down a hill to start it if it ever fails on you. Genuine one isn't crazy money compared to the Bosch

Ok, you push.

Exactly. Aside from a major break-down or getting stuck, being way out in the middle of Central Nevada—alone—with a truck that won’t start and no hill to roll down, is a bad dream of mine.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
In defense of push starting it literally take about 5 feet on level ground to start a TDI
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
I did find the website of the place I found that carried them in the UK but their website doesn’t work. Guessing they are out of business.

But I found this one: https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/valeo-1078232.html

$391 shipped from them. But the British Starters rebuilt is $325.

When I bought the 2 I have now they were available from an eBay UK seller in limited quantity. They went fast as they were very reasonably priced, less than half of the above price.

Compared to the other starters I have used that were high torque (Bosch and British Starters/Nippondenso modified) the Valeo is quieter and spins nice and fast. I haven’t had it in service very long, however.
 
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chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
I never had a "factory" starter, as this was a Turner motor. I would love to find an original factory unit that's been rebuilt.
 

erover82

Well-known member
I never had a "factory" starter, as this was a Turner motor. I would love to find an original factory unit that's been rebuilt.

You can. JLR Classic has a remanufacturing program where used genuine parts are refurbished to original specs.

Found it: https://www.landrover.co.uk/Images/LRUK19B_CAM_RemanParts_Catalogue_Digi_TRADE_tcm295-730837.pdf

Edit: I thought LR005962 was the part#, but it's the JLR reman Bosch, whereas the PDF lists it as PRC5109E, which must be the reman Lucas.
 
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