sticking starter

[blikesit]

The starter on my 1979 70hp johnson stays engaged after the motor starts. I can shut the motor off and tap on the starter gear while rocking the fly wheel back and forth and it will finally drop back down to try to start it again. I have to do this 4 or 5 times before I can get it started without the starter staying engaged. The starter is fairly new and to me it seems like the geared ring is going up too high? Any help would be great!

 

[steelespike]

Re: sticking starter

Have you tried lubing the bendix gear.( the part that rotates up on the shaft to in gauge the flywheel ring gear.I think usually there is a spring involved.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: sticking starter

Sounds like you need to shim the starter. Add a lock washer behind the starter and then bolt it up. The washer would go on the bolt but behind the starter. Also, do this on the top bolt on the side, (not the front of the motor. This will tilt the starter outwards just enough to allow a little more freeplay between the starter gear and the flywheel.

I have the opposite problem. I have to shim the starter the other direction.

MAKE SURE YOU ENGAGE THE BENDIX STARTER GEAR AND THE FLYWHEEN BY HAND BEFORE APPLYING 12V POWER. You want to make sure the gear will still engage with at least 3/4 of the length of the bendix gear teeth. If 1/2 or less, find a thinner shim. Maybe a thin flat washer.

This should make a difference. ALso, like stated previoulsy, lubricate the bendix gear on the starter drive. That will help as well. A very lightweight oil (3n1) or better yet, something that won't collect dust. They make a special lube for the bendix.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: sticking starter

Shim only if there is absolutely no play between the flywheel teeth and the bendix gear.... in effect, a very tight fit between the two sets of teeth.

When shimming, it's best to use a very thin flat washer... too much space creates another problem.

The torque of the electric starter spinning forces the bendix into the flwheel ring gear. The engine firing/starting of course causes the flywheel to spin at a great rate of speed which knocks the bendix gear loose.

When everything is as it should be.... after putting the bendix gear in the flywheel ring gear by hand, turning the flywheel by hand should cause the bendix to be released.

 

[blikesit]

Re: sticking starter

All makes sense, thanks guys. I think a thin shim and lube should take care of the problem. Thanks again

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: sticking starter

Unless it's a new starter I'd be surprised if there's any reason to shim it (in other words that starter has once upon a time worked with that engine). Try the lube first and see if that doesn't fix the problem. Just a light layer of light grease on the bendix shaft will probably get it.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: sticking starter

The lubrication of the bendix gear is sort of touchy........

Grease is a no no as it collects dirt and grit which leads to having the gear bind.

Oil is the product to use but use it sparingly. Too much also collects dirt and grit.

Personally, in my years of experience, I found WD40 to be an excellent lubrication. And should there be a build up of grease already on that bendix, WD40 is an excellent cleaning agent.

 

[Fed]

Re: sticking starter

Is shimming starters a common thing I've never heard of it before now?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: sticking starter

Is shimming starters a common thing I've never heard of it before now?

No, not common, few and far between but it does happen.

 

[64osby]

Re: sticking starter

I know on my lawn mowers if the gear starts sticking the bendix is either dirty or worn. Cleaning it can help but it usually just prolongs the need to replace the bendix and the gear in my experience.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: sticking starter

Also, too much oil will totally destroy a bendix gear. There is a rubber bushing that acts as a safety devise. If the bendix and flywheel will not disengage from each other, the bendix gear will strip out (rubber bushing I think) thus saving the starter.

That's what happened to mine a while back. I was degreasing the motor and I must have gotten too much degreaser around the bendix or too much lube one, and the bendix gear stripped out making a gosh-awful squealing noise. If I remember correctly, it was so loose, you could turn it by hand. The bendix is a two part assembly (at least on mine).

So, like Joe said.......too much is a bad thing. A very light weight oil is best because it won't collect dirt.

Heck, I'm using "White Lightening" bike lube on mine. Works wonders. It's a waxy type dry lube that's easy to use and easy to remove. Its made for mountain bike chains and designed to resist collecting dust/dirt like oil. It lubricates like crazy and doesn't collect dirt. You can get it at Walmart now.