9.9 HP mercury O/B Starter cable

[dougd1]

When I try to start my motor with the pull cable, occasionally it doesn't appear to catch the flywheel/crankshaft and i am "pulling air" (about 1 in every 3-4 pulls I will get no engagement). About 6-9 inches of cable comes out and then it catches. Was told it was probably the recoil spring, but the cable always retracts into its housing and there is no cable hanging out of the motor casing, so I don't think it is the cable/spring. There appears to be two pawls in the housing that engage the fly wheel. Do these pawls wear out, or is there another adjustment to be made to ensure the pawls engage when the starting cord is pulled?
Thanks, Doug

 

[racerone]

Sometimes folks lubricate items in these recoils.------But they must remain dry !----Sorry ----I can not see / handle your recoil.

 

[dougd1]

Sometimes folks lubricate items in these recoils.------But they must remain dry !----Sorry ----I can not see / handle your recoil.

Thanks.
Well, there is certainly some grease on the pawls and inside the cavity where they sit. Should that grease be removed? Don't recall seeing any grease on the flywheel where the pawls engage.

Doug

 

[airshot]

Mabey to much grease causing them to hang up and not engage ? Clean them good and see what happens, if full of crud, then clean and light lube.

 

[dougd1]

Mabey to much grease causing them to hang up and not engage ? Clean them good and see what happens, if full of crud, then clean and light lube.

Well, took the pawl casing off and cleaned all the grease and gunk around the pawls and inside the pawl casing. One of the springs that holds the pawl in place may have come out, not sure. Cleaned them all up and reassembled - both pawls seem to be engaging on every pull, so everything seems to be in place and works fine.

 

[airshot]

Good to hear...