Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp

[mainewindrider]

My starter drive gear spins but does not elevate to engage the flywheel. Was intermittant a few times and then quit. Would a few drops of oil down the shaft help or is it cooked. I was told to wrap it with a hammer just for "fun".

 

[Nate3172]

Re: Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp

Sounds like the bendix is either broken or sticking. If you have a starter/alternator rebuild facility somewhere in your area they can fix the bendix for you. Only other alternative would be to replace the starter. Beating on them does not serve a whole lot of purpose because when starters start to have these kinds of problems they only continue to get worse and eventually hitting on it with a hammer will not even be effective.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp

If the starter just freewheels and never engages, to verify the problem you can hold the starter shaft and try to twist the gear so it elevates. If it is sticky then you need lubricant on there. Just work it in good and you should be fine..

 

[mainewindrider]

Re: Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp

I tried to use a scredriver as a lever and lift it. No movement at all. Only good thing about it spinning was the screeching noise that caused a nearby boater to come to my assistance.

 

[mainewindrider]

Re: Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp follow up

Re: Starter drive not engaging Force L drive 90 hp follow up

It was the corrected by using wd 40. I realize the gear doesn't pop up but rather it twists up caused by the spinning shaft. Trying to lift vertically doesn't do it. Need to lift and turn it to free it up. Thanks for saving me hundreds of dollars.