TDi Starter - Is it Hype?

[Steve M.]

I did buy a TDi Starter and the adapter plate for the 2.1 WBX engine, but you know I really did not notice a difference in starting to go through the trouble of changing it out.

So just doing the poll to find out peoples experience with it.

This is only for the 2.1 WBX engine.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[sanchius]

Since you ask, I'll repeat what I wrote last week...

I view the TDI starter upgrade for the 2.1L as one of my very best bang-for-the-buck upgrades and _every_ time I start mine, I smile at how quick and powerful the start is compared to the slow starter that I removed.

Don't even hesitate about putting in a Westy Ventures conversion to use a manual TDI starter: http://www.westyventures.com/parts.html

Here's some info on different starters that you might encounter: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7844086#7844086

After a couple that didn't work, I bought the right starter online, a Bosch SR040X, $132 at Rock Auto + $60 core charge.

It works beautifully and so much better than the stock starter.

Just do it....
_________________
The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going!

[Steve M.]

[AndyBees]

I purchased the adapter to use a TDI starter in the Diesel Bell Housing on my ALH TDI engine. It works really great.

However, when I first installed it, no work. So, I installed the relay on the firewall near the starter. Problem solved. Of course, that was what was needed all along with the old OE Diesel Starter. With some ignition circuits (from the key to the solenoid) there is just too much resistance to operate the solenoid, in my opinion.

So, with the relay installed, my TDI starter has worked flawlessly!
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[gears]

I didn't answer your poll, but I will echo what others have said for years: The TDI starter is the best bang-for-$ upgrade I have ever done to my SVX-powered Syncro.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[AZ Landshaper]

If U have a high compression engine like a TDI or a Subaru the hi torque starter is worth your money because the OEM starter doesn't do the job. For a WBX it may last a while longer but doubt there is any noticeable diff upon every start of the motor.
Mine was night and day from OEM to the hi torque beast. Sounds smooth and starts quickly. My OEM was straining to turn over my EJ 22 with only 130lbs of compression.
_________________
Support Small Business.

-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[davevickery]

Not to be argumentative, but just to add another data point. I have never had any issues with the stock 2.1 starter with a 2.1 engine or with 3 subaru conversions (2.0, 2.5DOHC, 2.5) as well as a 1.8T. I would consider the swap if my starter died but not if I had a good used 2.1 starter laying around.

[AZ Landshaper]

My starter may have been old and worn. I've heard of others having issue as well but who knows how Many miles were on any of these starters.
Going from a tired old aircooler to a newer higher compression motor may have been too much for the old dogs.
I'm only one swap in. The rest is purely here-say picked up from the interwebs
_________________
Support Small Business.

-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[Paulbeard]

Is the title supposed to be an option in the poll?

[kamzcab86]

[dhaavers]

Sorry to be "that" guy, but your poll seems rather unscientific...

I think what you're looking for is more along the lines of a survey' i.e.: "choose
all that apply" rather than a poll, i.e.: "choose the ONE which applies"...

FWIW: For some time I've been convinced to do the WA/TDI starter mod when I
get to where I need to, I'm just not there yet...interested in this thread, though!

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[syncrodoka]

I changed over to the 1.8T starter with the adapter rather than the TDI starter with my stock engine. I went with that one due to a easier installation procedure in a syncro with a diff lock with it's shorter length.
My rebuilt bosch stock starter was unreliable even with a new known good quality brand ignition switch, new ground strap and addition one directly to starter, new battery to starter lead and a quality aftermarket starter relay. The swap got me a starter that was more reliable, starts the engine quicker and it was cheaper in my case.
Changing out the starter is a chore that I choose to do as little as possible on locker equipped syncros.
One of my ej22 conversions killed a rebuilt stock starter in under a year so I don't rely on them for conversions.

[AndyBees]

I'll follow up with these comments.

I had ground issues from the get go with my ALH TDI that I did not solve until 18 months later because I was chasing the unknown (long story in of itself). (In summary, long cranks to start... the less than adequate grounding was robbing current from the ECU.)

Once I found and solved the ground issue, the OE Diesel Starter worked fine.

But, I made the change due to several reasons, with availability of TDI starters being the #1 reason. But, as I stated in the other post, I had to install a relay to make it functional. Apparently the starter circuit in my Van has high resistance.

Lastly, the OE TDI starter is still functional in my 2000 Jetta with almost 370k miles on it. So, I do believe they are very robust.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[ThankYouJerry]

My experience:

OEM original starter... died and got tired of hitting it with a hammer to start every time. Two weeks later bought a brand new Bosch starter and installed it. Less than 2 months later, same thing. Not turning over... had to hit it with a hammer to start the van. Ripped that new POS out, bought the TDI starter and adapter plate and have been trouble free for YEARS. From what Stephan told me they’ve had a lot of trouble with new Bosch OEM Vanagon starters in the past few years. Luck of the draw if you get a good or bad one. Do you feel lucky?
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[dart330]

I installed one and would never go back. I think the biggest benefit is parts availability. A quick check for a Vanagon starter at AutoZone and O'Reily shows special order only. A 2003 Jetta TDI starter is on the shelf and ready to go, a real life saver on road trips.

[crazyvwvanman]

This is one of the major benefits to me as well. There are also other even more common VW gear reduction starters that also work with the "TDI" adapter Karl came up with. I use a version for ABA 2.0 gas engine cars as well as the early years of TDI cars. Not rated as powerful as the later TDI starter but still rated more than the old tech boxer engine starters.

Mark

[Gruppe B]

Don't forget that the TDI starter does not use or need a shaft bushing. I had a bushing spin out on one of my vehicles years ago and the starter gear ended up not being supported. It destroyed the starter and the ring gear.

TDI all the way...

[r.e.wing_fc3s]

I replaced mine because it failed from water intrusion. I went offroading and the engine/starter were completely submerged for a while. everything was fine for a week and then the starter quit. needless to say i completely sealed the new starter with clear silicone much like how the original syncro starter was sealed from the factory.

My rebuilder says the supply of cores is mostly dried up in my area. Also rebuilding them reuses alot of the internal wiring that has much dimnished current carrying ability which is why the rebuilds only last a few years where the original lasted 20 years.

unless your using an svx or other larger displacement/high compression motor the bosch 0425n is more then adequate. It cranks over the subaru 2.5 instantly. It installs easily in a syncro. You will most likely not be able to use the original alternator cable as the main post on the both 0425/0428 is shorter, but since the current carrying capacity of your cable is probably diminished anyway take the opportunity to replace and upgrade.

And adding a relay to activate the starter is a band aid that may fall off and leave you stranded. Most of the time checking the voltage drops starting at the igniton switch power to battery while activating the starter will reveal were the problem is.

I had a van recently that another shop had been unable to fix, a random no start/no crank. They had "cleaned up some wiring by the starter" which they left laying on the accelerator rod from the a/t to get chafed and possibly shorted. Said it was fixed. Problem came back same day. Then they replaced the ignition switch for free and cleaned the neutral safety switch. Same problem. All it took for me to diag instead of guess and throw parts at it was a test light and the bentley. Consistent power coming out of switch at start position but no power to the n.s.s. Checked the wiring diagram and identified the terminals on the fuse box were the starter signal comes from the switch into box and out to n.s.s. removed 2 multi connectors on fuse box to find that the terminals for the starter solenoid had increased in diameter. Cleaned, scraped and slightly reclosed terminals treated with corrosionx. No parts necessary- problem solved.
_________________
Reference Automotive: NW Washingtons Vanagon Specialist. (360)366-6965. referenceautomotive.com

[Gruppe B]

Benefit #10
You can buy brand new starters instead of a rebuild (no core too)

https://www.amazon.com/Valeo-438076-Starter/dp/B00...76+Starter

[dlb154]

Essential upgrade (in my opinion) when doing a Subaru conversion with an adapter plate. If you have a Small Car bell housing that allows the use of the Subaru starter, or the Subaru Gears transmission, then you are using the Subaru starter.
Both options, TDI w/ adapter or Subaru starter w/ bell housing or trans, are superior to the WBX starter when dealing with a Subaru conversion.