re
Here is a question many ( except me ) do have an answer. What is the
> step-by-step procedure for 1987 Westy engine starter removal and
> installation?

It's one of the most straight forward starter R & R's in the car world. (
velly smat VW )

Assuming 2WD - Syncro is more complicated.

disconnect battery.
remove battery cable and starter trigger wire from starter solenoid. ( 13mm
wrench and yer grimmy finners for the trigger wire )
after that it's only the main starte mounting nuts/bolts.
the lower nut is a 15 mm .
the upper bolt - go into the engine compartment, remove air filter box.
 - you can fumble around the air intake boot to get at the 17mm hex nut on
the upper starter bolt..
or remvoe the boot to help access, and it's still a reach.  Sometimes I also
remove the throttle body too ( 2 phillips screws and throttle cable  )  ,
but not usually.

you may need to hold the upper starter bolt from turning, at the starter end
of it. it's an 8 mm allen. Usually not much force is needed there, so you
could cheat with a small vice grip if needed.
Then remove the starter.

you'll want to check the bushing in the transaxle that the nose of the
starter sits in. Usually they are ok.
At least look at it.  Hard to get your head up in there, may need a mirror
and tiny light.
also eyeball the ring gear teeth that the starter engages is ....they are
usually OK too...but that's something that sometimes gets tired.
They can be medium tired looking and still be good enough. So don't expect
totally new looking teeth there .
Engine compression causes it to stop in the same 4 spots ...so wear tends to
be concentrated on just those teeth.

Bently doesn't really tell you this too much.
It's not quite a 'how to' or 'I never saw one of these cars before' book.
It's a tech manual for techicians that know basic things to start with.

have fun !
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Whittaker" <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2010 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: 1987 Westy engine starter replacement

> dear questions
> get your self a bently
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2589&category_id=19&category_parent_id=
>
> yours
>
> On Sat, Apr 10, 2010 at 5:17 AM, Arkady Mirvis
> <arkadymirvis@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Hello listees,
>>
>> Here is a question many ( except me ) do have an answer. What is the
>> step-by-step procedure for 1987 Westy engine starter removal and
>> installation?
>>
>> Help is appreciated.
>>
>> Ark
>>
>
>
>
> --
> roger w
> From Proverbs:
> Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
> servant who becomes king ...
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