Starter motor hamster

[PK]

I resisted the very very tempting starter motor on rock auto.  AC Delco all lovely and shiney!!!

I have cleaned and painted the old one instead.  A large amount of fibrous material exited when stood on its end.  I guess this is most likely to be old clutch material?  I can't think of any fibrous product that would be an integral part of a starter motor!!!!  There is probably a golf ball size of material in total.

[Fierofool]

Critter nest?  There is no clutch of that form in a starter.  The Bendix is a clutch, but it's a screw-type. 

[PK]

Material seems too uniform for one of them enjun mice. 

I thought maybe the clutch clutch gearbox clutch could have been shredded at some point and the material worked it's way to the starter?? I helped someone take a gearbox off a fiat the other week after the owner had shredded the clutch (and flywheel) and it looked just like the material the rained down on me whilst we tilted and wiggled a gearbox that was near enough the same size as the enjun out!

[Fierofool]

That's possible.  The tail of the starter extends into the area of the clutch plate.  Just as a precaution, if you have a good air supply, while the starter's off, shoot a good blast of air into the bell housing and with the inspection plate removed or loosened, see if there's any debris that accumulates or comes out at the bottom. 

[PK]

I don't have a good air supply but that's a great idea FF.  I will rig something up to blast the bell housing and the starter motor to make sure I got it all.

[PK]

Hows this for a trick.  Been thinking of how to get air to the Fiero to blast hamster.

I have a pcl test box for calibrating airline gauges.  I can pressurise this in a workshop to 140psi.. . Then close the tap.  Then take to Fiero and attach an airline gauge to the box and effectively use the airline gauge backwards, using the normal airline attachment as the nozzle.  Prolly clear as mud but I tried it today and it worked great.  Small capacity but should be enough for the job.

[Raydar]

A bit late now, but I was going to suggest you wear a dust mask or respirator. Clutch fibers can be nasty (asbestos.)

[PK]

Just tested the system yesterday raydar, so not too late and I will put on a mask for the main blast. Thank you.

[PK]

Job done.  No more fibrous material and mask worn. Thanks for reminder I wouldn't have even thought about it otherwise.

[GTRS Fiero]

What is this hamster?

[PK]

Are you suffering hamster denial?

[GTRS Fiero]

Suffering, nothing.  I proudly deny...

Seriously, what hampster?

[Fierofool]

See the first two posts.