Newby question re: Starter - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Langcow1 · 04-16-2021, 05:48 PM

I need to put in a new starter and I haven’t done it before. I also need new valve cover gaskets. Are these two jobs related enough that I should do both at once or does doing one not matter to doing the other a few weeks later? I mean, I need the starter now, but is it going to be more labor to hold off on the valve cover gaskets for a different weekend?

Devbot · 04-16-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langcow1

I need to put in a new starter and I haven’t done it before. I also need new valve cover gaskets. Are these two jobs related enough that I should do both at once or does doing one not matter to doing the other a few weeks later? I mean, I need the starter now, but is it going to be more labor to hold off on the valve cover gaskets for a different weekend?

Completely different jobs. Do the starter now if you need to.

T4topher · 04-16-2021, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langcow1

I need to put in a new starter and I haven’t done it before. I also need new valve cover gaskets. Are these two jobs related enough that I should do both at once or does doing one not matter to doing the other a few weeks later? I mean, I need the starter now, but is it going to be more labor to hold off on the valve cover gaskets for a different weekend?

Might want to think about rebuilding your starter instead of buying a whole new one. Get OEM toyota parts, watch the timmy the toolman video. He has a video on both the starter and the valve cover gaskets.

phattyduck · 04-16-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4topher

Might want to think about rebuilding your starter instead of buying a whole new one. Get OEM toyota parts, watch the timmy the toolman video. He has a video on both the starter and the valve cover gaskets.

I'd second this, or at least make sure you get a Denso or OEM starter.

The job is relatively easy with a 2WD, and a bit of a pain with a 4WD.

-Charlie

photoleif · 04-16-2021, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langcow1

I need to put in a new starter and I haven’t done it before. I also need new valve cover gaskets. Are these two jobs related enough that I should do both at once or does doing one not matter to doing the other a few weeks later? I mean, I need the starter now, but is it going to be more labor to hold off on the valve cover gaskets for a different weekend?

make sure you have extensions and a swivel for your impact gun.

Langcow1 · 04-16-2021, 07:03 PM

I picked up a remanufactured one at NAPA. Am I going to regret that?

Devbot · 04-16-2021, 08:47 PM

Highly doubt it. I used a DB Electric starter I believe fwiw, definitely not OEM. Even had a random one from vatozone on my last truck and it lasted me 7-8 years until I sold it. Compare the noses to ensure the gearing is the same between the two before installing.
Don't forget to remove the upper half of the tranny fill tube to make the job 100x easier (disconnects just below the starter, one bolt up top and should pop right out)

photoleif · 04-16-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4topher

Might want to think about rebuilding your starter instead of buying a whole new one. Get OEM toyota parts, watch the timmy the toolman video. He has a video on both the starter and the valve cover gaskets.

good suggestion. guy i knew who is a toyota-certified mechanic by day rebuilt my 1995 truck's starter for me and it has been doing great going on eight years now. that's 27 years for the bulk of it this november.

@Langcow1 it looks like you've gone aftermarket. once you get your OEM starter out, it'd be nice to have it around to rebuild and keep for that hypothetical day when the new one doesn't live up to expectations. i've got an alternator sitting around for that reason.

Langcow1 · 04-16-2021, 09:53 PM

That’s a cool idea. I do have a core return but it’s only like $40. No reason I couldn’t keep it rather than return

photoleif · 04-16-2021, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langcow1

That’s a cool idea. I do have a core return but it’s only like $40. No reason I couldn’t keep it rather than return

cool. unless it's severely damaged for some reason, it's worth rebuilding. several threads here point to their longevity in general, and also as you're seeing, their life after a rebuild.

19963.4lsr5 · 04-17-2021, 09:57 PM

Any reman starter will be an OEM Denso. The starter from DB electric will be a knock off of a OEM Denso. You can roll the dice and see how long it lasts and put a OEM brush kit in it if it doesn’t work out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Devbot · 04-17-2021, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19963.4lsr5

Any reman starter will be an OEM Denso. The starter from DB electric will be a knock off of a OEM Denso. You can roll the dice and see how long it lasts and put a OEM brush kit in it if it doesn’t work out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What makes you think it's a knock off? I mean by that metric a Wix filter is just a knock off Toyota one
There was a DBE employee that browses this forum who seemed to stand behind their products, maybe I can find and tag them and they could better explain the differences if any

Site Navigation