Starter Drive Gear

Labrado

Recruit
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
2
The starter motor turns, but the drive gear doesn't rise to engage the flywheel. This is a 90 hp Johnson VRO 1987. The starter was replaced in the late 1990s. If it is time for a new starter, that is fine, I am just confused as to why it turns but doesn't engage. I tapped it, and it engaged the next crank over, but only once. I thought centrifugal force elevated the gear, or is there a switch maybe not engaging? Thanks.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Starter Drive Gear

Howdy, Labrado.

Welcome to iboats. :)

Sounds like the Bendix shaft is dirty. Clean it and then just a few drops of very light oil, like sewing machine oil. WD-40 can do a decent job of cleaning, but is not a lubricant.

After cleaning and oiling, run the gear up and down several times by hand.

Let us know result, and good luck. :)
 

Labrado

Recruit
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
2
Re: Starter Drive Gear

Thank You, that sounds like a wonderfully simple solution!
I will try to clean and lubricate it in the next few days.
 
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