The Merkur Club of America Forums

I am happy to say that I brought my black xr stick new in May 1987. I lived in a place just outside of Pittsburgh and went to the nearest Merkur (Lincoln-Mercury) dealer. The sales team put to much pressure on me that I had to run out of the show room. They wanted me to take the car home on the same...

Synopsis of starter problem on 1987 Xr. March 19th, car starts to exhibit starting problems. Thought oil leaks caused OEM starter to fail. Incorrect assessment. A metal tab inside the starter had sheared off, due to metal fatigue of 30 years. March 31st mini starter arrives in mail. Completed on Apr...

The mini starter is great and works like a champ. The car has been up only one side for two weeks which may have cause the rough idling. Dropped the car down and test drove it...it is fine. Thanks again. Aundrae ***This is my first major (minor for experts) repair of my XR of 30 years- as long as yo...

got the mini starter installed (without the bracket). The car started fine but idling is rough and rumbling, not smooth. Moved red wire coming from old starter to the battery post side of the solenoid (fender). Wire the smaller wire coming from the mini starter to the place the wire above was at on ...

Well, I give the mini a try since I ordered it already and if that is not up to par I buy the kit to replace the broken part in the OEM. How can I go wrong with such good advice and pictures.

Thank you,

Aundrae

Opened up the original starter and found the problem. :wink You will notice that there is a tab on the left ring under the spring but not on the right side...the tab has sheered off after 30 years of starting the monster. http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh490/xr4ti17/IMGP0216_zpsliivw8cy.jpg Ord...

Hey I am catching up slowly to you experts. Thanks for the photo info. Used my son's scooter handle bar to get the extra leverage to get the top bolt on the starter bracket that has been cemented in there for the last 30 years (my number in my 87 Xr shows it was made in March - thanks to Mike showin...

Today I finally got the starter our of my car. Thanks to all of you who gave me good advice. I wanted to celebrate when I got the oil covered starter out. I wanted to upload a picture but not sure how? I have a good picture using my sons scooter handle bar to link up with the wrench to give me more ...

Thanks for the advice regarding the Bar's Leak, I will kick that thought out of my head. I am new at doing my car myself, but I am enjoying the learning process. I am sure the problem with the starter is the oil build up which is not letting the bendix meet the fly wheel. I have most of the bolts ou...

Merkur Maniacs

Sorry for being lazy about the oil leaks. Thanks for the advice, I definitely don't want my XR going up in smoke!

I will dry it up and see where the leak is.

This forum gives me much encouragement to keep this car going.

Aundrae

Thanks Mike for the mini starter info, sounds good if I need to change it.

Also I will check out the battery first before getting dirty.

Thank you both for the suggestions.

Aundrae

Hello, The oil leak in my car has been steadily growing and leaving spots in the driveway. Now my starter can start sometimes and just makes noise (like a hissing snake) most of the time (but no turning of the flywheel). I suspect the oil covered starter is the problem. My question before I pull the...

Made reservations to be there with my old-man. Great to be back in the states. Missed you guys last year, but hope the weather will be copyright of 2014.

Any Merkurs passing close to Philly on Friday morning for convoy?

Peace,

Aundrae

Wow, that is nice. Thank you and lookin forward.

Aundrae (Africa was great, but no Merkur's there. Great to be back)