Changing starter

[yourpicnick]

I'm posting a picture of the reddit question I stated so I don't have to retype everything, but long story short do I need to take out the intake manifold to change out starter? Seems like I can just slide that sucker with a lil handy man magic, but I wanted yalls opinion first!

 

[Wrighty]

You do not need to take the manifold off, I have previously replaced the started on my 2004 3.0L
Time wise it probably took a hour, you're basically working by touch as visibility of the starter motor is quite limited from above

Wrighty

 

[Zedebee]

As above. Quite a basic but satisfying job if you have the right tools (I recall It needs one or two sizes of Torx spanner (wrench)). A good light source and one of those mirror-on-a-stick things is helpful to visualise the nuts/bolts/connectors that you cannot see directly.

 

[yourpicnick]

As above. Quite a basic but satisfying job if you have the right tools (I recall It needs one or two sizes of Torx spanner (wrench)). A good light source and one of those mirror-on-a-stick things is helpful to visualise the nuts/bolts/connectors that you cannot see directly.

You do not need to take the manifold off, I have previously replaced the started on my 2004 3.0L
Time wise it probably took a hour, you're basically working by touch as visibility of the starter motor is quite limited from above

Wrighty

You do not need to take the manifold off, I have previously replaced the started on my 2004 3.0L
Time wise it probably took a hour, you're basically working by touch as visibility of the starter motor is quite limited from above

Wrighty

thanks for the quick reply! I figured that was the case. Hopefully these long nearly 7ft span arms will do me some good with this project! Lol. I'll post on how it goes in the morning!

 

[enuff_zed]

As above. Quite a basic but satisfying job if you have the right tools (I recall It needs one or two sizes of Torx spanner (wrench)). A good light source and one of those mirror-on-a-stick things is helpful to visualise the nuts/bolts/connectors that you cannot see directly.

You do not need to take the manifold off, I have previously replaced the started on my 2004 3.0L
Time wise it probably took a hour, you're basically working by touch as visibility of the starter motor is quite limited from above

Wrighty

You do not need to take the manifold off, I have previously replaced the started on my 2004 3.0L
Time wise it probably took a hour, you're basically working by touch as visibility of the starter motor is quite limited from above

Wrighty

thanks for the quick reply! I figured that was the case. Hopefully these long nearly 7ft span arms will do me some good with this project! Lol. I'll post on how it goes in the morning!

Bigwinn did a tutorial on it if that helps.
Long arms aren't much help, but small hands are. :wink:
Only slight issue you may have is arcing the spanner while undoing the electrical connections as you are mostly doing that by feel.
Disconnecting the battery solves that of course.

EDIT: Here's the link
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126328
note about halfway down that thread I mention the need to remove the sound generator, and also using a 3/8" ring spanner if you have such a thing.

 

[yourpicnick]

Just a heads I up, I got it done!! Works beautifully now! I did have to go to my buddies house and actually lift the car and work around a bit but I got it. My hands are HUGE soooo I could fit in the small space without taking off the intake manifold. Was a very easy fix once I got to his house though. Maybe 2hrs (and that's because I'm new to working on cars honestly) Thanks for the help!