Starter gear hits flywheel only at high speed

[b8n4fish]

I have a 91 Johnson 25hp with controls on my tracker that the starter gear moves up and barley ticks the flywheel at high speed. It does not look like it is damaging the gear and is barley hitting flywheel It only starts do do this between 20-21mph and continues to do it at WoT. I changed the starter and put an OEM starter on it but it still does it. I even stretched out the spring on the new starter and nothing changed. I unhooked power to motor while running and it still does it. I do know its not a good idea to do this but I am lost on what to check next. I changed starter solenoid and stRter switch as well.

 

[F_R]

Vibration is what is causing that. Now the question becomes why?

 

[Sea Rider]

Does same in flat calm or choopy water cond at said speed.

Happy Boating

 

[b8n4fish]

It does on choppy and calm water

 

[oldboat1]

I unhooked power to motor while running and it still does it.

i.e., unplugged the harness? battery? You will need to check the charging operation (may need to replace rectifier).

Are you sure it's the starter gear itself? may be just the gear assembly vibrating -- if just going by sound when running at speed, it doesn't sound like you would easily be able to confirm it's the gear.

 

[boobie]

Try increasing the tension of the spring on top of the starter Bendix.

 

[racerone]

Any pictures of the flywheel ?-----Number of teeth on the pinion gear.-----Part # of your replacement starter ?

 

[oldboat1]

This what your starter assembly looks like: http://ww2.iboats.com/Electric-Star...246755--session_id.713063354--view_id.1548121 ?

 

[jimmbo]

If it "is barley hitting flywheel" it should have Machined the Pinion considerably, or it already has. As F_R said, Vibration is the culprit. Have you tried a different Prop?