Well it not likely going be a tooth issue if only happens when hot .
You will end up with tooth damage if procrastinate too much and the pinion left to clatter without full engagement to ring gear for too long .
What it likely is will be heat soak related to solenoid activation of the pinion gear, whether that mechanical related due to thermal temps or electrical resistance related to thermal temps will need peepers have a visual look for clues and test light/DMM to try gain some insight to narrow down the cause, could even be contact issue at a stud/fixing point elsewhere that getting high resistance/poor contact due to heat soak, again needs peepers on it for visual inspection & see what points in the supply and earth circuit are in a spot subject to heat soak/radiant heat or just look a bit suspect then the test light/DMM to conclude good or fault .
Doubt it be too much drama resolve & even if needed replacement new/used starter it not that big an expense (plenty decent used diesel starters available thanks to all the scrapped diesel engines with busted cranks)
By
Mr B ·
