Just after I bought this used truck (94 s-10 with 6 cyl) I needed a new starter (in early 2008). After a long trip, there was a ticking noise that required the replacement of the flexplate (late 2008). Just 90 days ago I had to get a new flexplate. The Trans guy said I needed a new starter (?) but I had to save up. Just now, I had a new starter and the mechanic said, "You have a bad flexplate!"

What's going on?

 

The Trans guy is telling me that the NEW flexplate failed because I did not take his advice and get a NEW AC.DELCO starter at the exact same time (I had a new starter last week and haven't driven it at all. He claims that aftermarket starters eat up flexplates. I think that I'm not getting the full story here. He going to charge me full value to replace the flexplate for a third time. Your thoughts?

 

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I don't think I'm getting "the full story," even after reading this thread twice,i.e., why you replaced the starter now and what's wrong with the flexplate. There's supposed to be certain pinion-to-flexplate clearance. More clearance can be achieved by mounting the starter with shims. Nothing can be done about too much clearance, though. It sounds like one thing caused the other to wear out or something. I don't see how but people somehow manage to botch starter motor jobs, not to mention the lack of quality control on parts. It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion which you may need anyway in case you're headed to the small claims court.

 

First, this is NOT my daily driver. I just use it for errands that require a truck on the occasional weekend. Less than 5,000 miles per year.

In early 2008 the starter was grinding so I had it replaced. I had three options - rebuilt, new "aftermarket" brand, or OEM. I chose the middle, based on price.

Later in 2008, the flexplate had cracked around the mounting bolts so I had it replaced with a new "aftermarket" plate (it was ticking loudly but still ran). At that time, the trans guy said, "I shimmed your starter, but I couldn't get it perfect."

90 days ago, due to the chronic sound from the trans I took it back to the trans guy and he said, "bad flexplate... you should have paid for OEM since they are better." He replaced it with an OEM and said, "Now you need a new starter". I didn't have money at the time, plus I was dubious about the need for the new starter based on the relative age of it, and the lack of mileage.

Just last week I had a different mechanic (best friend of the trans guy) replace the starter with his choice of brands (new aftermarket). He said, "Bad flexplate" and I was aghast. How?! He said, "They break all the time and so the 'racing equipment' suppliers make a beefier one... he should have used that, but didn't want to bother sourcing one."

So I guess that I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around how both the flexplates and the starters keep eating each other up. Like I've said, I don't use this vehicle hardly at all.

As of today, the truck is at the trans guy's and he is going to replace the flexplate (He got the supplier to warranty the plate) but he is charging me labor to change out. His mechanic buddy is going to go there and reinstall a NEW starter. The trans guy is mad at me for thinking that this isn't my fault and I am bothered by the fact that this problem keeps happening - so much so that I am dubious as to whether this problem will ever be solved.

Am I crazy?

 

First he probably aint got a clue on aligning a starter, and thats where I'd go with it. That sounds like the issue.

 

Went to the trans place to look at the wreckage. It seems that the 2008 starter (the one that was "shimmed but not perfect" when the 2008 flexplate was installed) is the culprit. The bearing around the gear in the bendix was shot, allowing the gear to wobble and grind. It ate up the new flexplate, chipping teeth off.

The trans guy sent me home to find, online, a replacement flexplate, an aftermarket one provided by the racing parts community. Found a beefy one for $50 (not $150 like the OEM one that got eaten) -- something with the designation "SFI" whatever that means. I'm having it sent fedex overnight so I should have it by Tues morning. I'll run it to the trans guy and he'll install, working in concert with the mechanic that will reinstall a new starter.

Wish me luck!

 

That guy needs to replace the flywheel no charge, and then properly shim the starter

 

Yep, most cars never need another flexplate. You needed 3? Bullshoots!! The dude shimmed the starter wrong and it extended to far into the setup and chewed up the teeth on the FP. Sounds like a do-over to me. And why would I pay for your do-over? I dont know anything about heavy duty racing FPs. Stock equipment sounds good enough for me.

 

Here's another chapter...

I didn't have time to deal with the noisy starter before a all-sibling campout so I drove it up I-5 to Redding and stopped at Costco. That was the END of the starter. "Wheeeeee" was all that it did. I walked across the parking lot to OBrien Auto and bought another starter, called the tow truck, and had it towed to Sears (at the other end of the mall). They charged me 1.1 hours of labor to install the starter, but they took FIVE hours to finish the job. Three different mechanics. At 7pm they rolled down the doors, turned off the lights and let me leave. After all that, it's properly shimmed and working!

I'm getting my money back for the previous starter, or so I've been promised. We'll see.