Start engine mistery

My 1982 renault 18 has been in storage since march 2002 awaiting restauration. To keep everything running I started her up every 4 to 6 weeks. In september 2004 however the starter engine gave the ghost. So the first restauration project is to get the engine starting again. This turns out to be more complicated than it seems. Getting the starter out was the first challenge as it is build under the exhaust manifold and behind the tubing for the cabin heating. So getting it out requires a flexibel back and long arms.

Here is the old Bosch 0 001 208 209 unit:


I got a refurbished Paris-Rhône D8E139 for it.


But after putting it in and trying to start the car it was happily turing without picking up the flywheel of the engine. Got it out again, checked the flywheel and start motor. All seemed Ok. Build it back in. Same result. Got it out again and had the bendix replaced. Still the same result........ So we're all a bit puzzled about this. The start motor is back to the garage again with all the specs of the car and engine to find out what's wrong.

Meanwhile the whole operation resulted in some nice pics of my fleet. And also to get at least the feeling that I had accomplished something, I started cleaning the engine bay from 23 years of dirt and oily stuff. Compare the left and right shock absorber turret and wing edge:


The flywheel upclose through the hole where the start motor should be. You can see the connection from the manifold to the exhaust on the right side.

Clio and 18. Two generations of Renaults probably discussing car stuff, like the merrits of unleaded and leaded fuel, fuel injection systems vs. good old carburetors, or something like that