O man, this one is rough, you need to remove the intake manifold. I would start by removing the negative battery cable, drain the coolant. There is one important fitment issue before giving removal steps: the 2008 SRX was offered with a 3.6L V6 or 4.6L Northstar V8, not a 4.0L. The starter locations and procedures are completely different. I’m checking both so the customer can identify the correct one immediately.
Here is the location for the 4.6 liter.
If it is the 4.6L Northstar V8
The starter is underneath the intake manifold, in the engine valley. Removing the intake manifold from above is the correct and easiest route.
1.Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Relieve the fuel pressure.
3. Remove the cross-car brace and engine appearance cover.
4. Disconnect the PCV tubes, injector connectors, EVAP purge connection and fuel-supply line.
5. Unbolt and carefully lift the fuel rail with the injectors.
6. Loosen the intake duct clamp and remove the ten intake-manifold bolts.
7. Lift the intake manifold upward, beginning at the rear.
8. Immediately cover the open intake ports with clean rags.
9. Disconnect the large positive cable and small S-terminal wire from the starter.
10. Remove the starter bolts and lift the starter out of the valley.
Installation specifications:
Starter bolts: 22 ft-lb
Starter battery-cable nut: 89 in-lb
S-terminal nut: 35 in-lb
Intake-manifold bolts: 89 in-lb
Use new intake-manifold gaskets.
Do not attempt to remove this starter from underneath the vehicle. Let me know
Sep 19, 2026 at 10:08 AM
