Starter vs. flywheel replacement need

[Dooling37]

Hi all,

My '95 Acura Integra LS quit on me again recently. I had it towed to the nearest service station, which told me the following:
needs starter replacement, which will cost ~$350. *may* need the flywheel replaced as well, at an additional ~$450. No way to determine if the flywheel needs replacement until they take out the starter and some other major components (transmission, clutch, etc.). I couldn't get a straight answer from them (maybe understandably) on the odds of whether both will need to be replaced, or more likely only the starter.
the problem is, though, that I can only really afford (or only want to afford) the starter replacement -- if the flywheel also needs to be replaced, I'd rather just get a new (used) car.

So, I'm wondering if anyone can give me an estimated guess on the likelihood of the flywheel needing replacement, in addition to the starter, vs. the likelihood of a starter-only replacement. The tow truck driver speculated that a flywheel replacement was not likely necessary, since the metal is considerably softer on the starter than the flywheel, but he admitted to being very uninformed on repairs.
The car has ~145k miles on. One other possibly-important factor: the starter was replaced only a bit over 2 years ago (2 year warranty, of course).


thanks much for your responses.
Bob

 

[ViviTheMage]

<-------------------------------------

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
<-------------------------------------

Garage is that way.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
<-------------------------------------

Garage is that way.

you COULD say that.

 

[Sukhoi]

Define "quit".

 

[Dooling37]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
Define "quit".

Refused to re-start after stopping at a gas station. Engine won't turn over. Makes horrible screeching noise.


edit: sorry, didn't realize there was a forum for just such questions ; )

 

[DrPizza]

The guys in here are more knowledgeable than I am, but at a glance, looks like used starters are under $200? $150 is awfully expensive for labor to stick a new starter on a vehicle. Also, (at least on my old LeBaron that had a bad spot on the flywheel), you should be able to check a flywheel without having to remove anything except the starter.

edit: I looked around here someone appeared to have a similar problem, and their solution is about the same that I'd recommend; turn grab the belt, turn the pulley a few degrees, get in car, start. (If there are bad teeth)

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
The guys in here are more knowledgeable than I am, but at a glance, looks like used starters are under $200? $150 is awfully expensive for labor to stick a new starter on a vehicle. Also, (at least on my old LeBaron that had a bad spot on the flywheel), you should be able to check a flywheel without having to remove anything except the starter.

If the screeching just came out of nowhere I would doubt that you would have bad teeth on the flywheel show up so quickly, but who knows. And yes usually you can just look through where the starter was attached and check the flywheel without taking the tranny out, but who knows for your car in particular.

 

[Billb2]

Since the replacement starter only lasted two years, I would assume one of two things happened. It was a inferior part and just wore out, or the teeth on the flywheel (that the gear on the starter engages) were bad and caused premature failure of the gear on the starter. Starter removal and examination of the starter (and it's gear) and the teeth on the flywheel (if accessible), and assuming a qualified repair shop, should indicate what has to be replaced.

Most likely though, the shop will say both have to be replaced to cover their axx.

A 14 yr old car.....hmmmmm, ....it's time.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I've never seen a worn out flywheel. I'm sure it happens but I'd go with crappy rebuilt starter being the problem.

 

[bruceb]

Most times, when you hear a screech from the starter, it is because it is not engaging the teeth on the flywheel.
Usually just a bad solenoid on the starter which is not pushing the starter gear far enough to engage the flywheel.
And most cars, you can easily see the flywheel teeth when the starter is removed. I myself, have never needed
to replace a flywheel on any car I have owned.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Most times, when you hear a screech from the starter, it is because it is not engaging the teeth on the flywheel.
Usually just a bad solenoid on the starter which is not pushing the starter gear far enough to engage the flywheel.
And most cars, you can easily see the flywheel teeth when the starter is removed. I myself, have never needed
to replace a flywheel on any car I have owned.

Bruce has it.

ZV

 

[Dooling37]

Thank you all very much for your responses!