The starter in my Subaru Outback (2.5i Premium engine) has over 100,000 miles on it. I tried to remove it and found the lower nut holding the starter in place is very tight. Any suggestions on how to remove the nut is most appreciated.
If a product is recommend such as penetrating solution, I would like to know the brand.
Thank you
Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster and Kroil are pretty effective.
Impact wrenches also can help beat the bolt loose.
And then we have fire… can’t stay stuck if it is liquid! That takes an oxy-acetylene torch not just propane or mapp gas.
Part 2 I guess???
Your going to have more trouble with the replacement starter than you ever would have had with the original. The original should last 300k+ miles.
If you can physically put your hand on the starter, and physically access the bolts, all you need is more leverage. Either use a breaker bar, or get a length of 3/4" steel pipe to place over the handle on your ratchet*. And make sure you are attempting to turn the bolts in the proper direction, i.e. counter-clockwise to loosen.
*Tool manufacturers do not recommend placing anything over the handle of a ratchet for additional leverage, and claim that this can break the mechanism, however I have done this for years and never damaged a tool. Wear gloves to protect your hands in case the mechanism does break, and the wrench “lets go”.
IMO it’s much better to use a breaker bar. You can get a 1/2” drive 25” bar from Harbor Freight for about $20. That’s cheap enough that I’d buy it for occasional DIY use.
Right. I’ve never had a starter go back on any of my cars, even well over 200K miles.
Is the starter actually showing some warning signs of failure?
I’ve sold/replaced tons of Honda starters, older GM’s and many more, and just replaced the starter on my Infinity I35 with only 121,000 miles on it… So starters do go bad, but haven’t replaced many on Subarus…
