Best quality starter for 300Tdi?

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
Just googling the PN got one potential US source. Potential as they only say stock in transit... no price either... but they are US based. https://www.wagneralt.com/products/432574.asp

surely other vehicles use the same part...

Not that I know of , a while back I thoroughly cross-referenced every available part number I could find for this thing. It took me forever even to find the Valeo number.

If you can find a supplier in the UK willing to ship it with eBay's global shipping program it's considerably cheaper That's how I got both of mine. and I can't remember but I actually had given the link to somebody else to order theirs as well
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
If you can find a supplier in the UK willing to ship it with eBay's global shipping program it's considerably cheaper That's how I got both of mine. and I can't remember but I actually had given the link to somebody else to order theirs as well
I think that was me.
 

erover82

Well-known member
What’s wrong with the new hella units?

Was surprised to see HELLA as an option a few days ago. Just looked into it a bit. Interesting..
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
Here is the link to the starter I recently put in replacing the 3.1kw that failed on me after 1 year.
Looks just like the British Starters version and Is the same price.

This is where the British Starter version comes from: http://www.gustafsonspecialty.com/

They are not shown on their dealers list but it looks almost identical to the one I received.

Having used the Valeo and British Starters units, I’d pay the extra $66 and get the brand new Valeo. It fits better and is quieter. Both are 3.1 kw.

I want to add, however, Gustafson is a good guy. I had a problem with a retailer honoring the warranty on one for another vehicle I own and he shipped me a replacement immediately without even contacting the retailer.
 
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Z.G

Well-known member
Hah, I do it every year. It's fun. Trust in your maintenance and driving abilities. I do keep an EPIRB, ham radio, and sat phone at arms reach, though, just in case.

You have more confidence and preparation than I haha. My trip would turn into a bootleg version of the Oregon trail and I'd be dead from dysentery in days.
 

JimC

Super Moderator
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jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
What’s the general consensus on Bosch vs Hella? I have both in inventory and want to give a customer the better quality unit. Bosch is in a bearmach box which is suspect to me.
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
My new Bosch starter failed miserably. However, it was one of the “uprated” units and I have to wonder if it was just too much kw for the gears. The spider gears exploded. I have a 35 year old hella starter that doesn’t spin as fast as it should and occasionally the solenoid sticks but it still works and hasn’t failed to start the engine yet. I ordered 2 new valeo starters a few years ago. One is in service replacing the the failed Bosch and the other is waiting for the hella to die. The Valeo has worked flawlessly for over 3 years and when I forget to let the glow plugs do their job I can see it spins quite fast.
 
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erover82

Well-known member
Been wanting to take a Hella and a few others apart to compare, but haven't got around to it. I'd probably just opt for a gear reduction starter at this point though.
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
I have a “remanufactured” British starters gear reduction starter never installed I’d let go for $75 less than they sell for today, shipping included. Id keep it but I don’t think I will live long enough for the Valeo starter to wear out.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
I have a “remanufactured” British starters gear reduction starter never installed I’d let go for $75 less than they sell for today, shipping included. Id keep it but I don’t think I will live long enough for the Valeo starter to wear out.
In picked one up recently from a member and can't believe how small it is in comparison. Haven't installed it yet, but seems to be well rated.
 
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