2001 (2001-2007) Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner V6 3.0L Starter Motor Replacement

How to replace a starter on (2001-2007) Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner V6 3.0L without draining cooling system!
1) Remove Battery Negatve terminal
2) Remove the air-intake hose & air filter housing
3)Pull wiring harness retainer (push-in style) loose, pull heater hoses back
4) Remove 13mm nut positive wire from starter
5) Remove 10mm nut from starter solenoid wire
6) Rmove 13mm mounting bolt from rear of starter; Remove 13mm bolt from front of starter (beneath coolant hose)[wiggle or wobble socket required]
7) Carefully remove starter by bending heater hoses and loosened wire loom out of the way
-Reverse procedure to install

[@marchawk3080]

I just done this replacement and thought i would leave a comment to maybe help someone out. I used a regular 3/8" swivel on the end of the extensions with a 13mm 6-point socket on it. The swivel-socket that he used in the video thankfully wasn't needed because I didn't have one. I had two long extensions and a short one on the ratchet. i used all three extensions for both bolts. I couldn't find my 3/8" breaker bar so all I had was a short craftsman 3/8" ratchet. I had to put a cheater bar on the ratchet and both bolts were so tight whenever they broke loose I thought I had broken the ratchet (or the swivel on the front bolt) but they were just that hard to break loose. They were pretty much finger tight after being broke loose and easy to remove. HERE IS HOW YOU REMOVE THE STARTER AND THIS WILL PROBABLY SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME. I spent 30 minutes trying to fish the starter thorough a hole to remove it. I figured out the only place to get the starter out is by going underneath the heater core lines. you will have the starter as low as you can get it, directly under but quite a bit below the master cylinder, and you will have to use your other hand to pull the heater core lines up as far as you can to get the starter underneath them. I hope this helps someone have an easier time than me because this was one of the harder starter replacements that I have done.

[@ATREIDESDUNCAN88]

Had a mobile mechanic fix my car. He cleaned the battery post and the lines connected to the starter. And it started right up. My car was giving one click when turning on.

[@ineedahatnow]

Thanks mate.

[@Grox2448]

I've got all the bolts loose but it still wont come out... any ideas

[@FoxRecon383]

Grox2448 might be the Bendix gear stuck engaged on the flywheel or rust / corrosion around the mounts. Prybar or screwdriver might help knock it loose with some penetrating oil?

[@jetmizone955]

hey mate what brand is the swivel socket you have?

[@FoxRecon383]

Jet Mizone It's a Matco, but a snap-on would work too.

[@jetmizone955]

FoxRecon383 thanks

[@marchawk3080]

I know this is too late to help you but maybe for someone else. I just used a regular 3/8" swivel with a 13mm 6-point socket on the end of it. The swivel socket was not needed.

[@Cleetus_Clay]

Didnt help at all actually

[@brandenMAN209]

Anybody catch that? 😂