Johnson 150 gear reduction starter

I need some help please. First of all I'm no outboard mechanic. Worked on car engines all my life as well as diesel engines. I'm just new to outboards. {scared}

With that I have a 2000 Johnson 150 plssc with a gear reduction starter. It worked fine for a couple months since I had it , then I was on the lake and tried to start it and it just spins. Spins and either it's not spinning the pinion shaft gear that hooks to the pinion shaft that turns the flywheel or it's spinning the gear and it's broke from the shaft. Now I have pulled the starter off checked it and it's fine. Now I can stick my fingers up and feel that gear and I can spin it freely..and I think it should have some resistance on it??? Or should it?? I have not pulled the flywheel cover off and that's what scares me!!! Anything special I need to know before I pull out the 100 bolts it has ??? Any help would be appreciated... I have pics if needed.

You need to pull the cover off as the Bendix is under it. The gear spinning freely is normal. The Bendix is attached to that gear also check the Bushing the gear shaft rdes in.

flyingscott said:

You need to pull the cover off as the Bendix is under it. The gear spinning freely is normal. The Bendix is attached to that gear also check the Bushing the gear shaft rdes in.

Click to expand...

Thanks flyingscott I appreciate the help I'll ck. that out when I get that cover off.

Nothing scary about taking the cover off.

racerone said:

Nothing scary about taking the cover off.

Click to expand...

Thanks I was wondering...