My car eats starters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[87e30]

As the title says, my car is going through starters faster than oil. (and yes I change the oil)

Here is some background:

I have - 24v | g260 | e30 'i' flywheel | ebay clutch (shouldn't matter) | e30 'i' starter

With m52 I went through 3 used starters.

Now with the s50 I went through another used starter, so I bought a new reman one at shucks. (lifetime warranty - for this very reason) I should note that the brand new raman unit lasted 3 weeks. I don't even drive my car everyday.

Each of the starters would either do nothing, or spin inside of itself making a loud (cool) whirring noise.

What the heck?! What could possibly cause this? It takes a few cranks to get started, and honestly sounds like the starter is struggling. The only thing that I can think of is the clutch is somehow grabbing the flywheel a little bit straining the whole system? But, when the car is off and the clutch pressed in, while in gear, she will roll freely.

This is VERY annoying. Thanks guys!

[TurboJake]

Did you ever look at your wiring and grounds?

[87e30]

Did you ever look at your wiring and grounds?

How would my starter be spinning inside of itself if it wasn't wired...?

Are you saying poor wiring can lead to the frying of the starter?

[Wh33lhop]

Are you using a 24V starter or an E30 starter?

[87e30]

Are you using a 24V starter or an E30 starter?

e30 'i' for the e30 'i' flywheel. (original post edited)

I thought that was the only one that worked.

[Vtec?lol]

e30 'i' for the e30 'i' flywheel. (original post edited)

I thought that was the only one that worked.

poor wiring and grounds can affect the solenoid... I'm guessing that can fry a starter

[TurboJake]

bingo.
Can easily cause it to overheat, and die off rather quickly.
The motor will spin and the solenoid can easily not it kick out. It's a common problem for starters in general.

I'd lean towards wiring and see what happens.

[87e30]

I think my problem is the ring gear on the flywheel getting rounded off.

It's common (as far as I know) to run one bolt to hold the starter to the bellhousing. Well this stressed the starter mount which broke, causing the starter to back out some. It now spins around in there rounding off the ring gear.

AT least that's my theory.... I got a new known starter, put it in, and it just sits in there spinning. (Yes I put both bolts in this time... such a pita)

[QUKBMER]

As the title says, my car is going through starters faster than oil. (and yes I change the oil)

Here is some background:

I have - 24v | g260 | e30 'i' flywheel | ebay clutch (shouldn't matter) | e30 'i' starter

With m52 I went through 3 used starters.

Now with the s50 I went through another used starter, so I bought a new reman one at shucks. (lifetime warranty - for this very reason) I should note that the brand new raman unit lasted 3 weeks. I don't even drive my car everyday.

Each of the starters would either do nothing, or spin inside of itself making a loud (cool) whirring noise.

What the heck?! What could possibly cause this? It takes a few cranks to get started, and honestly sounds like the starter is struggling. The only thing that I can think of is the clutch is somehow grabbing the flywheel a little bit straining the whole system? But, when the car is off and the clutch pressed in, while in gear, she will roll freely.

This is VERY annoying. Thanks guys!

Sounds like you need to change its diet.