Starter stuck in flywheel??

[JJsays77]

I'm using a 1975 50 hp Johnson Seahorse 50ESL75. The starter is engaged in the flywheel and will not come down. It was working perfectly fine the day before on the water but when morning came I found out it wouldn't start because the starter is stuck in the flywheel. Do I have to get a new starter? Is there someway I can disengage this so I can still start it??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Normally you would turn the flywheel by hand in the direction the motor spins when it is running, and the starter gear will become disengaged.

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Ok, and which direction is that do you know?

 

[mark1961]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Clockwise....

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Thanks! It worked

 

[mark1961]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

How dry is the starter pinion shaft?......you might want to give it some lube, check the condition of the anti drift spring.

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

It was fairly dry. Just lubed it. The starter disengaged again when it is not trying to start.

UPDATE: Problem happened again. After a little bit trying to start it the starter stayed up in the flywheel.

Dumb question: I've never actually seen the starter and flywheel in action when the engine starts normally. When trying to start the motor, is the starter supposed to engage the flywheel first before it starts in order to start the engine? Because that is what is happening. It sounds like it is grinding, however. Does not sound good. Do I need a new starter?

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Bump

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

bump x 2. need help

 

[mark1961]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

It was fairly dry. Just lubed it. The starter disengaged again when it is not trying to start.

UPDATE: Problem happened again. After a little bit trying to start it the starter stayed up in the flywheel.

Dumb question: I've never actually seen the starter and flywheel in action when the engine starts normally. When trying to start the motor, is the starter supposed to engage the flywheel first before it starts in order to start the engine? Because that is what is happening. It sounds like it is grinding, however. Does not sound good. Do I need a new starter?

Is there is any corrosion present on the pinion shaft preventing smooth operation?

These starters use a bendix drive......it is normal for the pinion to already be turning before meshing with the flywheel teeth.....if both are not well aligned when they meet clashing and even grinding can happen, grinding should only happen infrequently though, the teeth on the pinion are heavily bevelled to assist with engagement. Its possible the bendix drive on yours needs to be replaced.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

take the cowl off and watch it when you start.

If lubrication doesn't get the starter shaft to rise and retract, you need to replace the starter. they aren't that expensive, self-explanatory to replace (if not, take up golf) and if its an original, you are due.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Does it stay engaged while running or are you trying to start it and its turning to slow to start? If the latter its fairly normal for it to not kick out I've had this happen on two different motors of mine. The starter needs the higher speed of the motor firing off to kick it back out. When you hear the grinding does the Bendix(starter gear) engage the flywheel?

On my 70' 115 I replaced the starter. I suppose I could of had it rebuilt but I found a good deal on a replacement on Ebay and my personal preference is to go new on that old of an OEM starter.

On my 71' 50 it would crank slow and sometimes bog down on compression and make a deep growl/grinding sound. I just needed to charge the battery to fix.

Its been said and I'll say it again check ALL your connections and battery charge condition. Lube the starter shaft w/ some light weight machine oil. The absolute last thing in the line (for me anyway) is starter replacement/rebuilding.

 

[chrome dome]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

l have what sounds much the same problem with one of mine..
pinion gear stays up..have to turn flywheel by hand for it to drop,
as already mentioned, clean all the connections/terminals/earth's etc
use a FULLY charged battery and try again,
the next bit is something l read here somewhere..
ok.. just went and found it again
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=519939


according to this l have a crook starter..which is what l thought anyway,
may work for you

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

You guys are my heroes! Sand papered everything and now it is starting great (even though it won't turn over right now.. grrr), but that's another problem. Thanks again guys.

New Problem: I followed one of the advice from the given thread by throme dome saying to disconnect the spark plugs. Tried starting it after the sand paper and disconnecting the spark plugs and starter worked great (no turn over, obviously). Connected the spark plugs and fuel line, pumped bulb yada yada, starter worked great again, but no turn over. Kept trying but nothing. Usually it starts right up. Could disconnecting the spark plugs and trying to start it have ruined them??

 

[mark1961]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Its probably flooded now from leftover fuel in the carb bowls......remove the spark plugs and dry them out.

 

[JJsays77]

Re: Starter stuck in flywheel??

Yep, just waited the next day and it started right up! Thanks again!