Starter gear gets stuck

[TVZ]

On my '71 Evinrude TwinSki 40, a couple of times recently the starter gear that engages the flywheel has gotten stuck there. It gets lodged there with the teeth not engaged. It's quite difficult to break it loose. I did replace the gear on the starter, but it still happened again. The flywheel teeth do not look worn (although I guess I don't really know what they should look like).
What else can I do to prevent this? Would it be a good idea to apply grease to this gear's teeth? Or is there a trick for breaking them loose other than just pounding on the starter gear to knock it back down?

 

[F_R]

That usually is caused by worn flywheel teeth. Next time it happens, have a magic marker handy and make a mark on the flywheel where the gear stuck. Then after you beat it apart examine the bottom end of the teeth in the area of the mark. Compare with the teeth the rest of the way around. Wear usually is only on a few teeth where it usually stops between compression strokes.

Sometimes you can free it up by rotating the flywheel in it's normal direction (clockwise).

 

[TVZ]

Thanks F_R. What do you think about the idea of putting a little grease on there? Maybe some of that spray-on grease?

 

[interalian]

When it's stuck, have a look from above and see if the gears look like they're meshed tightly or if it looks like the starter gear is trying to climb out of the flywheel gear. You could try loosening the starter mounting bolts to see if a slight change in mounting position will help.

 

[oldboat1]

^^agree.

Can you spin the flywheel clockwise by hand (motor off)? And is the starter in good shape -- may want to bench test it. And, you may have a corroded connection, weak battery...

Does the starter engage and crank the engine with the plugs out?

 

[F_R]

Thanks F_R. What do you think about the idea of putting a little grease on there? Maybe some of that spray-on grease?

If I am correct in my assessment, grease isn't going to help. The flywheel teeth have angled cuts on the bottom end, allowing the starter gear to find the groove. Problem arises when that angled cut is battered and worn.

I once had a car that did the same thing while on a hill and backed up to a fence. Had to call a tow truck to drag it out of there. Once out, we freed up the starter by putting it in high gear, rolling the car forward and popping the clutch, which rotated the flywheel and unstuck the starter. I guess I got lucky, never had it happen again, nor replaced the flywheel gear.

 

[robert graham]

Clean and a drop of oil on the bendix....maybe a strip of fine Emory cloth to smooth/polish any burrs on bendix and flywheel teeth....

 

[TVZ]

Where would you apply the oil on the bendix, Robert?

 

[dabrackmaster]

Never put oil anywhere that gravity is going to pull it somewhere it shouldn't be like....say.....the starter. I learned it the hard way. 2 rebuilt starters and one brand new one later. Lubricate the bendix with graphite powder only. Also, these starters aren't like the ole Chevy starters where a good whack will fix it.
These have permanent magnets and rapping on the starter will shatter them.