Hi, my max has about 85k miles on it now, is it time for me to replace the original starter?

 

Replace it when/if it dies and not a day earlier.

 

exactly! WTF, whats up with people buying things they dont need until they die? first someone wanted to get a knock when there's was still good, and now this....

 

I don't think this is such a stupid question. All kinds of components are routinely replaced BEFORE they break. Drive belts for example. I suppose the distinction is that when a starter goes out, it typically will not leave you stranded at the side of the road. And yet, it might require a tow, and possibly even a loss of income.

The question is, how long does a starter typically last? IF they typically fail before a certain number of years or miles, what would be wrong with replacing one as part of preventative maintenance, just like drive belts or radiator hoses?

 

I guess you buy a starter when it doesnt start anymore ...

 

The starter will typically start making a really loud screeching kinda sound when it starts going bad. Mainly on cold mornings. Mine did this for about a year before I finally replaced it.

If it's working fine, don't worry about it.

 

just realized i sounded like a d*ck, my fault. Not sure if starts get harder when starter is bad but thats something i would check for. I odnt think mileage means anything. people have replaced there's earlier than others. Unless you have money to burn, and i mean really have money to burn cause your starter may last the life of the car if your luck is good. Not everyone with over 120k miles has replaced their starter, although i have.

 

Well, a drive belt is a high-wear item so it *will* break eventually so it's a good idea to replace that. Also a broken timing chain in some cars might destroy the engine, so it's smart to replace those, but the starter? How about replacing the gas tank because it might spring a leak?

Replace the started when it stops working.

 

I change my starter around 124,xxx. hassle, tow truck, fees here, fees there. It started acting up a year ealier.

 

When it starts acting up, thats when you should replace it. Right now, my solenoid doesn't catch because its cold outside so I have to give it about 2-3 cranks before it catches. It makes a nasty crunching sound doing so. That noise and constant cranking tells me to change it soon because its dying. I think they sell solenoids seperatly from the starter and cheaper also, hopefully, if autozone's online site is corect.

 

I replaced mine at 116k, there were signs that it was going bad for a long time, but like an idiot - I ignored it for months. One day at the mall parking lot - it wouldnt start. When your starter starts to go bad, then worry about replacing it - it will take longer to start your car, it will make noises, etc etc- once this happens, then go about finding a replacement.

 

I am going to buy one just to keep it on hand I think, cause I am starting to get the "takes a little too long to start" that might go away when I get the KS installed, but if it doesnt ... I'm buying one to keep it just in case.

Mecca....beeee niiiiiiiiiccccceeeeeeee -lol-

 

Or did what I did and just regreased the whole thing....Very easy to do.Just use the instructions from http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/516

 

Hey thanks for the advice everybody, I think I might be changing the starter out, it has been making a screeching noise when I start it in the morning. What would be a decent price for OEM/aftermarket starter?

ps. Meccanoble take that dik out of your azz if it's bothering you.

 

Nissan rebuilt will be 200 bucks or so... cheaper ones are available at autozone, etc.

The last comment was not necessary - Mecca already posted and apologized for coming across harshly in his first post.

 

250k+ miles with original starter. Still running strong. I think lol

 

No kidding... Mecca ... I got your back heheh

 

Thanks njmodi and yes the last comment was necessary, people like him do not think before they respond, it discourage newbies like me and others to participate in this forum. Sorry, it had to be said.

 

Yeah jinni97Max you get his back, I'll get his front.

 

Lifetime warranty from autozone for $140 as I recall....but core charge will be $70 I think...not sure if there is an expiration on getting that back or not either. So to me, its not a part I would want to sit on just because.

The time it takes a car to start or not starting at all is not the sign of a bad starter. A starters only job is to turn the engine over...."starting" and "running" is the job of the fuel injection and ignition system. The disengaging or screeching problem is a sign of a starter in need of love or replacement. A starter only clicking, or doing nothing when you turn the key a couple times before coming to life is also a bad sign...could be the battery as well. Either will surface well in advance of the day it will strand you.

I agree its silly to replace a part like this "early" as it will give you warning signs long in advance of crapping out completely. Comparing to belts and brakes isn't the same either...those have visible signs of wear/age that indicate when you are best off to replace them. Replacing a KS early is also a waste....if it goes "bad" it harms nothing except your 0-60 time as the ECU goes into a safe mode until you replace it. Preventive maintenance is a coolant flush every two years or tranny flush every 30K, bleeding your brakes every two years and don't forget oil changes and the occasional bottle of fuel injection cleaner and the assortment of filters for air and fuel.

sorry...that kind of turned into a lecture.....

 

I agree with everything you said except the above - I think a starter can go out without any previously obvious symptoms... its not important however, as I would still wait until it actually fails to acquire a replacement.

 

210k on my old 89 still on the original starter with no signs of going bad........

 

251,000 miles and still havent replaced my starter. Starts up every time like a champ. Im gonna replace it when it goes out.

 

My starter has sounded like A$$ for the past year or 30k miles. It sounds like something is sticking for a second then stops. only when it is cold though

 

damn, 251k, thats the most ive seen on a 95, thought my 115 was a lot, hows it been runnin for u conz?

 

Thats nothing. I got 120k on my 99. Still runs and purrs like a kitten thou.

 

I think my starter is going out also...I use to notice a long time ago that when it was cold(only)when I started the car it would make a weird sound. I wouldnt call it a screech but more like a oh I guess just sounded rough starting. This has been happening for about a year and only when cold. Now this past week no matter if its cold or not it will make that rough start noise. Just today at work I started the car it took me a few to start it. Then later it was trying to start then just died...Then it started up. When the car runs the engine is smooth and you can tell there's no problems with the engine. Reading everyones symptoms of a starter going bad sounds almost similiar to my problems, but I'm a girl I freak out easily..So to everyone else does this sound like the common starter problem?

 

all you people who are complaining of screeching noises with your starter when it's cold, re-read what redrum85 pointed out up there.

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/516

try regreasing it before you waste your money buying a new one because of that noise. the grease tends to dry up and cause it to stick. you're wasting your money or just lazy if you buy a new one instead of trying this first. for the $3 it costs for the grease, it's worth trying.

 

i would def suggest those with the schreeching starters to check out the site that was posted. my starter made those noises 2 yrs ago, a $2 thing of grease and about a half hour of my time and it hasnt made a noise since.