Basically just looking for a few suggesting on why I can't get my engine to start

What I've got:

1.4 afh with gti internals freshly rebuilt

Mk 3 lighter flywheel

Gearbox off a 1.6 6n

And the 'rare' starter off the later mk3

Finally got it running tonight after towing it up the road and it runs sweet but it won't start on its own, it seems like the starter isn't strong enough but I've tryed a replacement and it made no difference. What starters are people using? Do you think it should be enough for my setup? Could it be something else?

Sorry for all the questions

can you hear the starter push rod moving?

is it actually engaging with the flywheel? (if its in gear, and you turn the engine over does it jolt forward)

is the brass bush intact in the gearbox where the starter rod goes into?

tried an earth direct on the starter to the battery?

have you checked your voltages (against the battery terminals before/when cranking) and also at the starter end?

Check all the battery connections and connection on the starter and clean up any corrosion.

Or buy one of the clubs uprated high torque starter motors which where designed for this conversion! :)
http://shop.clubpolo.co.uk/powerlite-high-torque-starter-motor-121-p.asp

Decent batt and upgrading engine earths and the live cable helps too.

I've been trying it with extra earths, a battery booster pack conected and it made little to no difference.

Cheers for the link to that starter, that could be an option. Surely not everyone doing this conversion buys one of them though? Would it make a difference if i swapped to a 16v fly or different gearbox so I could use a different starter like a 16v one? Do they have higher output?

Cheers guys

As said above, do check that the bush in the gearbox which the starter armature shaft runs in is : (1) In place (2) In good condition (3) Lubricated.

Regards.

Ok try and check that later. How would it make my car turn over really slow though?

Which pistons are you using?

Ok try and check that later. How would it make my car turn over really slow though?

because if its not lubed it can cause friction which means its harder for the start to turn over.

I'm pretty sure they are the gti ones, I bought the block semi built up off a guy so I can't be certain.

Ahh right I see. I'm gonna whip the starter out tonight and see what I can make out

Cheers for the advise

I've managed to get this running now every time off the key and it all seems fine but it won't start when the engines hot. I think it's down to the 1ltr starter being under powered for the engine. Is anyone else using the hybrid engine with mk3 fly and starter without havering any starting issues?

Also I'm thinking if it's worth just swapping over to the 16v fly so I can use the bigger 16v starter? Is it even worth having a mk3 flywheel?

Any info would be great cheers

If the starter is fine when its cold, why would you assume the starter motor is underpowered because it won't start when its warm?!

http://shop.clubpolo.co.uk/powerlite-high-torque-starter-motor-121-p.asp

I didn't know if there would be more compression or something when it's warm because it turns over really slow and it's tight being turned by hand. What else could make it turn over slow when hot?

That starter motor is a beautiful looking piece of kit but it's a little out of my price range. I've got a 16v fly and starter spare so it would be cheaper to swap them over.

I greased the socket which the starter sits in when engaged like you suggested and it seemed to improve it so thanks for suggesting that

Cheers for the help so far guys

Is the timing set up right. When I did my abd the timing was slightly off on the ignition so would fire early

There can be a few reasons, Higher compression means the starter has to work harder to turn the engine over. A hot engine means a hot stater motor and wiring which means there is more electrical resistance in the wiring and motor. This can make a already struggling starter unable to start the engine especially if its coming towards the end of its life. You could try insulating the Starter from the heat of the engine and/or replacing the wiring to the motor and insulating that.