Starter troubles

[amason]

I have a 1979 55hp Evinrude outboard, Model# 5597C , Ser# E0007192 . The starter gear keeps skipping a tooth on the flywheel when it engages. When the starter doesn't mesh into the flywheel, it causes a jam and the flywheel has to be turned in order to fix this problem. This problem may happen 5 out of 10 attempts to start. By the way, the motor is in neutral as should to start the outboard. My question is, Is it just the drive gear on the starter that is bad or should the whole assembly be replaced?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Starter troubles

There are rare occasions when the starter case must be shimmed very slightly for the bendix gear to make the correct distance engagement with the flywheel teeth... something to keep in mind.<br /><br />However, on some engines the bendix takes its toll on the bottom of the flywheel teeth, actually wearing off the bottom of the flywheel teeth at an angle. This usually causes the bendix to kick out..... but straange things will happen.<br /><br />Inspect the bottom of the flywheel teeth and if damaged as above, replace the flywheel.<br /><br />Replace the bendix gear as it's obviously dsmaged by now, then check the engagement clearance for binding etc.

 

[amason]

Re: Starter troubles

Joe,<br />Thanks for that information...Just got back from duck hunting in Core Sound. Will work on getting that bendix gear replaced since there is no wear or damage on the flywheel.<br /><br />Alan

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Starter troubles

Clean the grooves in the starter shaft as well. The bendix must move freely on the splines. Also make sure you have a good battery. Its rapid rotation of the starter that spins the bendix up the shaft to engage the flywheel. A weak battery or bad cable connections may not spin the starter fast enough and it grinds away or jams in the flywheel.

 

[amason]

Re: Starter troubles

the stator should put enough charge on the battery to give it that umpf everytime i get in her right? I use her every few weeks

 

[strouds]

Re: Starter troubles

When you clean the commutator take a raser blade ant clean the groves also