Starter Breather Extension...Better safe than sorry

[Zachpins34]

A few weeks ago I went mudding for the first time and got a lot of mud in my engine bay. I shut off the motor to take a few pics and when I went back to start it......nothing....The starter went out and made one crazy trip for me and my girlfriend. (For details see pg 3 in my build thread)


Here is a video of the mud I went through, just to get an idea:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WcIaBLMgEXw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

While trying to get the 4Runner to start (wacking the the **** out of the starter, using anything in site), I noticed there is a small breather looking thing on the underside of the starter. Looks like just a hollow tube. I'm guessing the function of this is similar to the rear diff breather, but instead of opening and closing, it just stays open. My starter was probably the original starter, but before the trip it didn't show any signs of it going out soon. The mud is the only culprit. Mud must have got inside the starter, probably through the breather, clogged it up and caused the starter to go out.

What confuses me is that I've seen 100's of videos/pictures of people going through the same amount of mud as I did (if not more), and not having any starter issues. Weird how mine went out like that. I'm surprised this hasn't happened to other people on here as well.

I'm pretty sure this is the tube that I saw:

This is the only logical explanation of my starter failure. It might be a good idea for us to do a starter breather extension up to the engine bay, just to be safe. Can't hurt right? I'm guessing I will be the first to do this since after researching I haven't seen this done before. By all means I am no expert so if I am wrong about any of this or it doesn't seem like a good idea for any reason, please let me know. Doesn't sound like a bad idea though based on what happened a few weeks ago.


Interested in hearing some comments/opinions/alternatives

 

[THEREALTOR1]

Hmm., interesting. First i've ever heard of this. So I go over to CL because I know that a guy is selling an 01' starter on there and take a look at the pics he's got posted, looks to me like they relocated the hose to the top (or its eliminated all together).

 

[Zachpins34]

Maybe its a different starter? My old original starter had the tube coming out facing downward and so does the new one I have now. Maybe someone else will chime in? Here's a few pics I just took:

That tube looks like it is probably a breather for it. I'm guessing mud got inside that tube and into the starer. Anybody have starter problems when going through mud? I don't think my starter going out immediately after goin through that mud was just a coincidence. Starter breather mod? Good idea?

 

[Zachpins34]

Bump

 

[Zachpins34]

Last time I'll bump this lol, if no answers i'll just say screw it and pray the starter doesnt go out again

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Interesting thread, but my guess is it was just pure coincidence that your starter contacts chose that time to fail.

To best of my knowledge the starter is completely sealed up.

My contacts were all burned up, and just replaced about 3 months ago-not too bad for 12 years of service .

 

[Zachpins34]

You think so? It happened immediately after going through mud and shut it off, then wouldn't start. It didn't never showed any signs of it going out before at all.

I'm surprised this isn't more common.
Think a breather on the starter is a good idea / worth it?

 

[EmptyZ]

I honestly would just block it off, I don't see the benefit of a breather. There are no fluids being compressed in there or anything. I also doubt it would help with heat or anything like that.

If mud got on your brushes in the motor that could make it not work or into the starter motor solenoid. I just don't see how that much mud could get through those little slits. I guess I would either block em off and see if it causes issues (maybe go into autozone and see if remaned ones have breathers). If blocking them off does cause a problem then I would maybe make a plate that shields the starter from any mud splashing onto it. It doesn't look like you are even close to submerging it. Weird...

 

[Zachpins34]

That sounds logical, but they had to have put the little tube on there for some reason. Maybe put some type of cover on it? Yea it was no where near submerged. Mud must have just flung all over it/in it. I've seen people go in mud wayy deeper (fully submerged starter) without any starter issues. This is weird...

 

[EmptyZ]

try putting some tape over the slits and if it gives you problems then you could just take the tape back off.

 

[Volley]

I noticed the same breathers when I did my starter contacts which did seem kind of silly because I why are there holes there anyway. Nonetheless they are just little plastic clips on the other end (trust me I know one of mine broke doing the contacts). I don't suppose it would hurt doing an extension getting it more out the way. Can't say for sure that's why your truck didn't start though.

 

[PoRunner]

When I first got my runner and was comfortable bringing it into mud the exact same thing happened to me but it also nuked my battery and alternator. I replaced all three items and just thought it was their time to go. Been through tons of mud/water without a single problem since. The way my mind works is that when mud and water got onto these componets they have to work just a tad bit harder in order for them to work efficiently so it just snow balled all of them. Auto zone tested all three items and they tested good but I know better than to listen to most of those guys there.

 

[Zachpins34]

hmmmmm ok screw it I think I'm just gonna make one. I guess I'll be the first to do this? Anyone else ever heard of this or have done it?

 

[bikerjosh]

hmmmmm ok screw it I think I'm just gonna make one. I guess I'll be the first to do this? Anyone else ever heard of this or have done it?

If it can't hurt anything do it, of course then everyone will be looking at you to start going into deeper puddles to prove your theory. Just don't go as deep as Eric did at Carnegie.
BTW- your t4r is looking good.

 

[Zachpins34]

Yea I'll do it and be my own guinea pig. Hahah sounds good.
Thanks! I appreciate it. Slowly but surely

 

[tmann]

I just replaced my starter contacts on my 99 4runner with 3.4 V6 sr5 automatic trans. When I started re-assembly I found 2 of the starter breather tubes on the garage floor. I know where one came from on the starter. Can't figure out the other. They are identical. Same as pictures above. Toyota part # 2819974110. Anyone know where the other one goes?
Thanks
Tim

 

[Spiker Engineering]

I just replaced my starter contacts on my 99 4runner with 3.4 V6 sr5 automatic trans. When I started re-assembly I found 2 of the starter breather tubes on the garage floor. I know where one came from on the starter. Can't figure out the other. They are identical. Same as pictures above. Toyota part # 2819974110. Anyone know where the other one goes?
Thanks
Tim

There are two of these breathers on the starter. See the photo below:

 

[tmann]

Thanks for the picture! Much appreciated.

 

[Ezroller]

hmmmmm ok screw it I think I'm just gonna make one. I guess I'll be the first to do this? Anyone else ever heard of this or have done it?

This happened to me last weekend. Tore the starter apart and found the contacts and plunger to be in good condition (low wear on the contacts) but what i did find was tons of green oxidation from water infiltration on all copper surfaces. Cleaned all copper and slapped her back in. Bingo.

The breather tubes were definitely the source of my problem. One tube vent the motor side, one vent the solenoid side. I'll be home in snap a pic of the breather mod I'm gonna do.