Re: Starter rebuild
TA-DA!!!!! I DONE DID IT!!!! And man, was it a relief it was something so simple! Went to the boat with 3 in 1 oil in hand and KNEW I was gonna solve what I had a feeling was a simple and easy problem. Attempted to turn the motor over, while paying attention to what the shaft on the starter did. It lifted, but not enough to engage the flywheel. Ha-Ha! So, now I know it isn't going up as high as it should. Ok, let's see if I can get it to lift up and engage the flywheel by hand. GENTLY used a flat head and placed it under the sprocket, lifting gently. Went as far up as it did when using the key. Ok, so that's one question answered. Which, brought to light another question...is the shaft going DOWN as far as it should. Attempted to turn over the motor via the key, and still, shaft isn't going as high as it should, and now I noticed it didn't go all the way down every time. SOOOOOOO, little booger, you wanna get stuck and hung up huh? Well, I got something for you! Squirted a little 3 in 1 under the sprocket, where the shaft goes into the body of the starter. Tried cranking the engine once or twice, now the shaft still isn't engaging the starter, but it IS going down all the way. So, I squirted a lil 3 in 1 on the shaft ABOVE the sprocket. BAM!!! Turn the key and the sprocket engages the flywheel, then the shaft goes all the way down into the starter body. Over and over and over I turn the key, and watch the shaft lift effortlessly so the sprocket engages the flywheel, then slide gently into place in the starter body, even starting the engine fully 2 times. Left the boat for about 30 mins., had to do some stuff on my work truck, went BACK to the boat, turned the key and VOILA! sprocket engages the flywheel then goes back down all the way into the starter body. Replaced the cover, picked up tools used on the boat and truck, and turned the key on the boat 1 last time. BAM! Started right up! No high pitched whining, no unengaged sprocket/flywheel. Just the smooth, steady, guttural sound of a Mercury 115 hp. starting up. Thnx for EVERYONE'S help and input. Now onto installing a new tach and making sure the carbs are performing at peak proficiency. Maybe now my speed will be where I think it should be.