Broken starter bolt. 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. 4.6 liter

[corcovado]

Make

Mercury

Model

Grand marquis

Year

2003

Miles

68000

Engine

4.6

Hello, Advice needed on removing a snapped starter bolt. Car is a 2003 mercury grand Marquis.
Luckily it’s the one on the bottom. Highlighted in red.

I’ve been soaking it with penetrating oil.

What is the best method to remove this?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[JackC]

I am not sure what I am seeing, but can't you just take out the rest of the starter bolts and then remove the starter and then remove the broken bolt with vise grips or whatever?

 

[corcovado]

Circled the area in red where the starter bolt snapped off at the head.
The other two starter bolts came out with no problem. Starter will not budge.
I’ve been spraying with penetrating oil and tapping it with a hammer but still won’t budge. I’m sure the starter ear (with the broken bolt) isn’t threaded.

A torch isn’t an option due to my situation.

 

[JackC]

Your photos show lots of rust. All I can say is get a bigger hammer or pry bar.

 

[grcauto]

With the other bolts out can you remove the starter? If so you will have the end to work with.

 

[corcovado]

With the other bolts out can you remove the starter? If so you will have the end to work with.

No, it seems like it’s caught on the ear of the starter which contains the broken bolt.
I’ve been spraying with penetrating oil every few days, so far it won’t budge

 

[Fobenator]

you do realize that there 3 bolts holding that starter on? you should be able to remove the starter with the other two bolts removed then easily get the broken bolt out, first by whalloping it head on then nailing the surrounding area abunch. Penetrating fluid does NOT magically cause a release on seized threads. I would throw some heat at the bolt tip sticking out after removing residual penistrading fluid, unless ya go fire insurance coverage on the ole girl.

 

[billr]

All are good suggestion, keep trying. (this, and other suggestion)

 

[big al]

I had the same problem on a 2003 Crown Victoria 4.6 liter. 3 bolts holding starter, 1 broke. I removed the others 2 then forcefully wiggled and pried the starter out. then with some penetrating oil and some heat was able to get a vise grip on it and back it out. Its just a thru hole at that point wit nothing holding it on the top or bottom, I'm guessing only about 6 threads holding that remaining piece there.

 

[Pasta Fazool Factory]

Hi again,
So I finally got the starter out. And out the new one in. All good….EXCEPT…. I was unable to get out the broken stud, (can’t use a torch where I am, tried the double bolt method, soaking with penetrating oil, vise grip, to no avail)

Anyway, is it possible to using just the two bolts and the broken bolt (now just a stud)?

Starter is tight and car starts well.

See pic for details broken bolt is circled in red.

Broken bolt only has the head missing, so in theory it’s like a pin or stud just inside the starter ear.

I know it should have three bolts, but just looking for advice in the current situation.

 

[dabunk]

Not recommended but if it works check regularly to makes sure other bolts not loosening. If I was in your situation, I would!!

 

[grcauto]

You'll brake one of the other blots and then you'll be stuck. It's a matter of how many times before it goes.

 

[Pasta Fazool Factory]

Now that you’ve seen the broken bolt , knowing that I can’t use a torch where I am, and short of going to a shop , what can I use to get it out?

Would an induction heater for broken bolts work?

Would a heat gun and some type of bolt extractor be advisable?

If so , what type of extractor?
I would hate to snap it flush with the bell housing .

 

[grcauto]

Can you get a vise grip or small pipe wrench on the threads? It should be easy enough to remove.

 

[Pasta Fazool Factory]

I had the same problem on a 2003 Crown Victoria 4.6 liter. 3 bolts holding starter, 1 broke. I removed the others 2 then forcefully wiggled and pried the starter out. then with some penetrating oil and some heat was able to get a vise grip on it and back it out. Its just a thru hole at that point wit nothing holding it on the top or bottom, I'm guessing only about 6 threads holding that remaining piece there.

Where did you get the replacement bolt from? What was the part number? No longer available at the dealer.