Napa engine starter or Oem

Well the starter is going out of the 2001 Toyota and I'm looking at replacing it. Have any of you had any luck with the Napa brand starters or do you recommend staying with OEM on those? I know when your dealing with the water pump and timing belt to stay with Toyota but the price of a Toyota starter is 250 compared to 100 from Napa. Thanks Rick

 

What's the problem with your Starter? Sometimes those starters can be rebuilt.


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/308243-starter-issues-something-else-any-input.html

 

Sin it has started dragging a little. I don't know much about engines but I know the starter engages the flywheel to start. Sometimes and it seems in the morning but not always the starter will not pull back fast enough and I can here it still engaged with the flywheel. Took the battery by the parts store and they said it checked out. Hope this helps. Oh and I would love to have the starter rebuilt but I need my truck and can't afford for it to be down very long. Rick

 

Ive used the napa starters for years with good luck. Im sure you would have no problems with the toyota starter what so ever but to me, not worth the difference in price.

 

Thanks Jesse I don't want to pay the difference but sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

 

It's only an extra 5 minutes to replace the contacts in the stock starter once its out of the truck.
I don't recommend getting rid of the OEM starter. They are high quality and last a long time.

When I first got my truck at 100K it needed the contacts replaced, so I did.
At 222K miles now that starter is still kicking.

The contacts are only $20 or so.

Oh look, there's a writeup...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...clicking-starter-2-7-liter-3rz-fe-engine.html

 

If money is not a object oem would be better everytime. Rebuilt never compairs to new.

 

It is so easy to replace parts,it doesn't make sense not to. The parts are denso! I did this in 1 hr 20 min. The parts are stock. Look at writeup that therealscuba posted and you will see.

 

Rockauto has denso rmaned starters… Basicaslly oem

 

Yeah, like always finances,and preferences.

 

Throwing some more options out there… not everyone wants to service certain parts haha

 

x2 my napa starter works fine but if could do it again id replace the contacts like others said just cause its so cheap and easy

 

That's true man. It's just so so easy.

 

Have you checked the bolts to it yet,,or done anything underhood yet RickyB?.

loose mounting bolts will cause the starter pinion gear to bind as it retracts.

Corrosion on the cable ends or terminals?.

Cheap and simple checks.

Bought a reman at about 170K I think it was. I had 3 choices on the Kv rating,,which is basically the HP output of the starter. Same nose and configuration to the starter on all 3. I said lets go and got the highest Kv rated one. Baxter Auto parts,,a local chain store. Starter came with a dyno sheet from the reman showing the output. Life warrantee,,of course. 203K on the truck now with that.

 

I have had good results from all the parts I've bought from NAPA.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Man that was tough getting the starter out. I went with the Napa starter because I had to have my truck. I understand the whole rebuild and keeping the original starter but like I said I have to drive this truck everyday. This may help someone but I took off the passenger which gave me access to the starter bolts and the bolt that holds the transmission bracket on to the block. Once the starter has been unbolted and wires pulled its a pain fishing it out of the back over the break lines but it can be done. With a helper looking at starter from passenger wheel area and you under the truck your helper can easily plug your wires up to starter and help with getting bolts to start. Hope this helps. Rick

 

NAPA will swap your starter out for life as long as you leave stickers on it (they like you to keep the receipt as well.)

 

I put on a new napa starter today, then when I was done I turned the key and the starter spun but would'nt engage the flywheel to start it. Won't start.

 

So long as the connections are good and that battery checked out well,,,the starter comes back off then. Bad rebuild possibly. Once you get the starter out, grab a flashlight and look into the bell to verify that the ring gear teeth are there and looking good.

Another thing I would do would be to call the store right when the doors crack open, tell them to hold your old starter because this one they sold you wont engage and you need to have a correct example. Always good to have a backstop. Some folks hold that old core till the new one checks out.