cant start your smiley in the morning? please read solution

[andypdq]

I used to be in the "needs a jump to start" club, even bought a mains starter. Finally bought a new Bosch S5 battery and have had no probs since, still using the small starter.
To me, the give away is that if the engine will start when you give the starter the proper amount of power, so it can turn the motor fast enough, then the battery ain't up to the job. (All things being equal, cables etc.)

Couldn't agree more, the only time i've ever had a problem starting a Di was a few winters ago, when it had been -15 the night before, it was still well below freezing when I attempted to start it at about 7 am. The battery had failed a couple of months before and I had thrown on a leisure battery that I happened to have, just not enough amps, a quick tow up the road and it started within 10 yards.

[Keef]

So the actual solution to starting your smiley in the morning is to make sure you have

Correct valve clearances
Correct timing
Fresh oil (preferably 5/30)
Good battery
Good alternator
Good earths
Good starter motor
No air leaks in the fuel lines

[Aardvark]

So the actual solution to starting your smiley in the morning is to make sure you have

Correct valve clearances
Correct timing
Fresh oil (preferably 5/30)
Good battery
Good alternator
Good earths
Good starter motor
No air leaks in the fuel lines

Plus a tow rope.

[andypdq]

So the actual solution to starting your smiley in the morning is to make sure you have

Correct valve clearances
Correct timing
Fresh oil (preferably 5/30)
Good battery
Good alternator
Good earths
Good starter motor
No air leaks in the fuel lines

Plus a tow rope.

Or park facing downhill.

[Feefee]

Im looking to buy the big starter, I guess it's a straight swap with new leads?

Can someone confirm this is correct one please?

Ebay item no. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280677149788

[Keef]

That's the one.

You don't need new leads, you just need to change the connector at the solenoid end of the small wire.

[Feefee]

Ok great thanks the MK5 is a nightmare to start on cold mornings too and already been through a few battery's...unnecessarily by sounds of it! lol

Hope this sorts it, will post back on results

[Feefee]

Err just a thought, I've had a look at old starter in mk5 and there doesn't appear to be much room to fit this new bigger one? Maybe it's just the way i'm looking at it?

[davew2]

its tight but it will fit

[Jim Archer]

It's a bit snug in there - there's plenty of room round the 'small' one, have you already got a 'big' one fitted?

Try cleaning and/or soldering the terminals of the battery leads before buying another starter.

Jim

[Feefee]

It's a bit snug in there - there's plenty of room round the 'small' one, have you already got a 'big' one fitted?

Try cleaning and/or soldering the terminals of the battery leads before buying another starter.

Jim

No it looks mega old, however i will double check for piece of mind.

If i do get new starter i'll just replace the leads etc too (see what's cheaper at garage) then i know it's all been done i suppose

[knighty1981]

Cheers for the various answers guys I have had battery and alternator checked at kwik sh*t but tbh they didnt seem that interested was telling them I can only use tail lift once / twice at most and battery is dead and that cant even leave it 24 hours or it needs jump starting. I have even brought a 12v 10w solar panel for on the dash a really big one not the small ones you find at halfords and that doesnt even help. Its not only when i use the tail lift i can just be going out for a drive 10 - 15 miles come back home park up and go out in the morning it will try for about 3 secs to start then click click click here we go again

you need a new battery

[Feefee]

Much bigger by sounds of it?

[vanfox]

The small starter is quite adequate as long as you give it enough power, usually evidenced by starting from a jump. Spend your money on a new battery. I have the small starter and a newish Bosch S5 battery on both my Dis . Both live on the drive in the middle of fields. Both start OK, Di within two turns and the TDi within 6 turns. If you're running a tail lift I'd get two S5 batteries fitted. Not needed the jump leads for two years.

[Feefee]

its tight but it will fit

Double checking, the bolt sections look slightly different between the starters, any mods need to be made for that?