[urq] Hot Start/Thermal wrap

[Buchholz, Steven]

The thing that is that Mike's statement "... why adding voltage with a
jump, defeats a heat sink problem?" says it all.  I would argue that
unfortunately it is not as simple as just the battery being the only
possible fault.  You get all sorts of voltage drops ... the worn out
ignition switch ... the wiring that runs along the engine being damaged
by the heat it has dealt with over the last 20 years ... etc.  No matter
what, if you supply a good high current source to the starter and it
cranks.  

So far, I've been able to resolve a starter heat soak problem by simply
replacing the starter ... but I've always had a plan to add a starter
load reduction relay in the box with the headlight relays ... especially
should I continue to have hot start problems after replacing it.  You've
got a good high quality source of battery voltage right there at the
starter motor lugs (in fact that's what I've used rather than a jump to
coax a balky starter to spin) ... use the wire from the ignition switch
to activate the coil on a relay, and let the contacts of the relay
supply the voltage to the starter solenoid.  

All that said, you will gain other advantages by insulating the
downpipe, so it is worthwhile even if you address the starting issue
with other means ... 

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)
> 
> I tried that...in fact, it may have been a cause of the problem.  My
> old battery died (never had a hot start issue).  I swapped in a new
> one, the biggest I could find that could fit in the bucket, and now it
> won't start when hot.  The battery was new in February.  Therefore, I
> doubt that is the problem.  I'll continue going through the wiring to
> see if there's any corrosion or anything.
> 
> On 6/8/05, Mike Del Tergo <mdeltergo at hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Andrew,
> > I had some of your problems and no doubt a portion heat related, but
you
> > have to ask/answer why adding voltage with a jump, defeats a heat
sink
> > problem?  (is your solonoid bad, 12V lead to starter weak etc?) I
wrapped my
> > down pipe in header wrap, to keep starter and motor mount somewhat
cooler.
> > What seemed to help more was a new battery, no more problems!
Already went
> > the starter route et al. (at 800+CA and 700+ CCA and $40 from
WalMart, much
> > better than stock and earlier replacement)