In a message dated 3/21/05 9:41:50 PM, S.OVERMYER@UWS.EDU.AU writes:

<< Take a look at this:

http://www.gowesty.com/starter_story.htm
-----------------------------
what a bunch of snake oil in my opinion. . . >>

I don't know if I would call GoWesty's solution to starter problems snake
oil, but I have a real problem accepting the insights of anyone who talks about
the DC resistence of copper wingings increasing by age alone.  Now, if Mr.
GoWesty had said the starter loses punch because some windings get shorted over a
period of time and the magnetic flux density is dimished as a result, maybe I
would listen.  By the way, there are not a "million miles" of windings in the
motor, just a few thick feet of the stuff.  I think perhaps taking apart a
starter motor at least once would help Mr. GoWesty fine tune his theory.

The things I have found in old Vanagon starters are:

1/ The fine strands of the braid between the solenoid and the motor slowly
corrode apart until even that short conductor is highly resistive.  The braid
can be renewd but it is not an obvious repair since the braid appears to be cold
welded to the THICK motor windings.

2/ The solenoid becomes gummed up from the carbon dust mixing with whatever
lubricant is present and the slug to former tube fit is, by necessity, tight.
Clean the internals.

3/  The brass former tube of the solenoid becomes scarred by the action of
the slug on it.  Ploish the former.

George