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I've had to replace the starter on all 3 of my cars except the GXP in the last 4 months. Im approaching the 100K mile mark on my GXP, and can't help but think it's going to happen soon on it as well. I'm just curious as to how many of you and what mileage you had on your engines when your starter went bad. I hear it's located under the intake manifold & must be removed to repair, and if that is the case, what are some other critical parts to replace while the manifold is off? Thanks.

Mine is original (122,000km/76,000 miles). I've had the intake off to do some other work and it isn't nearly as bad a job as many envision. It would definitely be a lot easier to do the plugs while that's out of the way. I can't really think of any other routine maintenance items that the intake obstructs easy access to. There is always the cam cover gaskets if yours are leaking. Because of where the starter is, it may not give you problems as soon. It's well protected from a lot of the environmental abuse that other starters are subject to. I don't really recall hearing a lot of GXP members talk about having to replace theirs.

No reason to replace the starter if it ain't broken.

This one isn't hanging off the lower side of the block like most GM engines. It's under the intake plenum. It is fairly well protected, kept dry, and shouldn't be an issue.

As far as other maintenance, anything you would do to a 100k miled car, I would do here. An internal combustion engine is an internal combustion engine...

Good to know that it makes a big difference that the starter is protected. Thanks

I put 80k miles on my 03 SSEi and 05 GXP and didn't replace the starter on either. In fact, I don't think I've ever had to replace a starter motor on a vehicle I've owned, old or new.

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