120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

[iblade06]

Hello, I enjoy reading these forums for self-help information, I came up with an issue yesterday on Lake Superior. My boat was working fine, when i tried to start it up again to move the starter pinion just spun, it is not getting enough rpm's to spin up into the flywheel and just spins below it. The starter wont engage up into the flywheel. the battery was fully charged, after reading some of these forums, i didn't see an exact cause. but i suspect it could be the solenoid? Is there something else i can check for, and would cleaning the starter solve this issue before i really begin to work on it. Thank you for help. I tried finding a schematic for the starter, no such luck model number on the starter is 50-f616955-1
Edit: after originally looking around, i think it's properly called the bendix gear?

 

[JB]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

First, clean the Bendix shaft with a bit of WD-40, then give it a few drops of very light oil. I use Singer sewing machine oil.

Next, remove both ends of both battery cables, scrub them shiny and reattach.

Let us know what happens.

 

[iblade06]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

First, clean the Bendix shaft with a bit of WD-40, then give it a few drops of very light oil. I use Singer sewing machine oil.

Next, remove both ends of both battery cables, scrub them shiny and reattach.

Let us know what happens.

JB thanks for responding, I did this, tried it, and it didnt work, so i did a little more, and let it sit, i tried it and still the same, it just keeps spinning below the flywheel. Time to take it into a shop and let someone rebuild the starter?

 

[flightdoc]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

You can do that or just buy a new starter I did some looking around when I was having starter issues and found one for $75. I bought it. Threw it on in 10 minutes and was ready to hit the water again.

 

[kody29u]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

Had the same problem. Gently pried up on the bendix and it popped back. Added a little lite machine oil... cranked back to normal.

 

[mrdibs1]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

It's nothing to take it apart and inspect the components, then bench test.

 

[Smoofers]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

I was having the same problem on a 125 Force. Sprayed a bit of Fluid Film on the bendix and worked it up and down by hand. Presto, problem solved.

I haven't tried an outboard starter yet, but on many of the jet skis I work on, the bendix assemblies can be taken apart, cleaned and re-lubed and will usually work like new after.

 

[fucawi]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

Wonderfull ..oil means problems ahead as it collects dust etc which makes it stick ..wash in parafin or WD 40 when it spins the surplus is thrown off ....oil is not ..like a gun barrel oiled but not oily .

 

[rigasr]

Re: 120 force outboard starter issue pinion wont spin into flywheel

Watch out for the cheap $70 starters if you decide to replace yours. I have been through 3 of them in 1 year each time replaced under warranty. I went ahead and bought a genuine oem starter a little while ago which now works perfectly.