apparently that is whats causing Barney to scream and grind at me sometimes when i try to start the engine.

Went in yesterday for the starter to be replaced but turns out to be a starter ring? something about the teeth? I dunno, but is this an expensive repair?

Also how much can i expect to be paying out for a rocker cover gasket and a manifold?

For those who don't know, Barney is an S reg 1.4 Bravo

Dobby said:

apparently that is whats causing Barney to scream and grind at me sometimes when i try to start the engine.

Went in yesterday for the starter to be replaced but turns out to be a starter ring? something about the teeth? I dunno, but is this an expensive repair?

Also how much can i expect to be paying out for a rocker cover gasket and a manifold?

For those who don't know, Barney is an S reg 1.4 Bravo

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Prob be the starter motor gear Dobby, the metal is softer on that than the flywheel ring, but the flywheel teeth can go too as the flywheel has a natural tendency to stop in the same place when you switch the engine off. You will know as soon as the starter motor is removed.

Cant help with the gasket and manifold prices soz.

Ffoxy said:

Prob be the starter motor gear Dobby, the metal is softer on that than the flywheel ring, but the flywheel teeth can go too as the flywheel has a natural tendency to stop in the same place when you switch the engine off. You will know as soon as the starter motor is removed.

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Cheers hun, is that expensive?

Dobby said:

Cheers hun, is that expensive?

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Nah you can get a new starter dog and fit it yourself easy enough (well Mr Dobby might) but we cant say that these days lol! Re-con starter is worst case scenario, might be worth looking at exchange prices?

rocker cover gasket costs less than a fiver at a motorfactor, and fitting is easy peasy.

if you mean the exhaust manifold, they arent cheap.


it sounds as though the garage are saying the ring gear teeth are damaged, so replacing the starter motor wont help. the starter motor turns the pinion gear (that bit is part of the starter motor). the pinon gear turns the ring gear. the ring gear turns the flywheel. so your problem is the bit that connects the starter motor to the flywheel.

replacing it is usually a case of taking the gearbox off and then removing the clutch to access the flywheel, and then usually removing the flywheel too because the ring gear goes on the engine side of the flywheel so you can only slot it on from that side. for that reason labour will be at least £100 before you include parts, probably a lot more.

tbh i'm not 100% sure if all that is neccessary on the 1.4, but if it is not neccessary it would be the first car i've heard of that is like that.

fitting a ring gear can be a nightmare. usually a DIYer would heat it up in an oven or with a blow torch until it is blue so it expands enough to slip it on the flywheel. getting the old gear off is usually a case of splitting it with a hammer and chisel, although i prefer careful hacksawing to reduce the chance of flywheel damage. i would not do this job myself, its far too much hassle.

The garage would have to have removed the starter and inspect via the starter motr 'ole to diagnose the ring gear wear tho Jug. I say its more likely the starter dog, worth a look see first anyhow.

yeah the vast majority of the time the dog (aka pinion) gear is the first to be damaged, but if that was the case the garage would have fitted the new starter motor and it would be job done already.

Unfortunately its the more expensive part you mentioned.

Have been told labour will be £145 and quoted £60-£80 for the part

However, i will not let Fiat beat me, this car will somehow be staying on the road

The rocker gasket and manifold can wait for the time being!!

jug said:

rocker cover gasket costs less than a fiver at a motorfactor, and fitting is easy peasy.

if you mean the exhaust manifold, they arent cheap.


it sounds as though the garage are saying the ring gear teeth are damaged, so replacing the starter motor wont help. the starter motor turns the pinion gear (that bit is part of the starter motor). the pinon gear turns the ring gear. the ring gear turns the flywheel. so your problem is the bit that connects the starter motor to the flywheel.

replacing it is usually a case of taking the gearbox off and then removing the clutch to access the flywheel, and then usually removing the flywheel too because the ring gear goes on the engine side of the flywheel so you can only slot it on from that side. for that reason labour will be at least £100 before you include parts, probably a lot more.

tbh i'm not 100% sure if all that is neccessary on the 1.4, but if it is not neccessary it would be the first car i've heard of that is like that.

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Do you mean the car isn't worth it or that the work isn't?

lol, sorry, i perhaps haven't read it right

Dobby said:

Do you mean the car isn't worth it or that the work isn't?

lol, sorry, i perhaps haven't read it right

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no, i mean maybe its an easier job to do on the 1.4 than on other cars i've come across. i doubt it, but you've got to be hopeful.

EDIT: just checked, it is defo a gearbox and clutch and flywheel removal job. £145 labour isnt bad at all.

if the gearbox is coming off replacing the clutch makes a lot of sense, unless it has already been replaced in the last 50k.

personally i think you should have stopped spending money on your car a very long time ago. the money you've spent would have bought a better car already. emotional attachment to a lump of iron and plastic is irrational, and you will grow to love a new car in a matter of weeks.

jug said:

if the gearbox is coming off replacing the clutch makes a lot of sense, unless it has already been replaced in the last 50k.

personally i think you should have stopped spending money on your car a very long time ago. the money you've spent would have bought a better car already. emotional attachment to a lump of iron and plastic is irrational, and you will grow to love a new car in a matter of weeks.

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I had a new clutch on it last year so its a fairly new one.

I agree about the spending money on it tbh, but i can only just about afford the repairs as they come up, no way i can fork out for another car.

Don't think i would get much for Barney, i considered p/x ing but i doubt i would get finance as a stay at home mum and i don't really want to be burdened with a large debt