Do I have a bad starter?

[hfdad]

My outboard is a Johnson 50hp and is 20 years old. The bendex gear was getting bad and flywheel teeth were also real worn. I changed the bendex and the flywheel and everything turns smooth. My problem is that the starter will not turn flywheel upon engagement. It engages fine but just doesn't have the power to spin flywheel. If I remove the plugs, it spins it with no problem. It also will smoke a little while trying to spin flywheel. Battery is good so is it time to replace starter?

 

[dingbat]

My outboard is a Johnson 50hp and is 20 years old. The bendex gear was getting bad and flywheel teeth were also real worn. I changed the bendex and the flywheel and everything turns smooth. My problem is that the starter will not turn flywheel upon engagement. It engages fine but just doesn't have the power to spin flywheel. If I remove the plugs, it spins it with no problem. It also will smoke a little while trying to spin flywheel. Battery is good so is it time to replace starter?

Chances are pretty good you have a burnt winding or worst.

Mine was working well, or at least I thought. Tore it apart to clean and change brushes. Found a burnt winding in the process.

Installed a new starter. Could not believe the difference. My somewhat hard to start motor now starts with the touch of the key

 

[racerone]

Did you have the battery load tested ( even if nearly new ) at a battery retailer ?----These starters are easily damaged by excessive cranking.----They are also elegantly easy to inspect if you have a digital ohmmeter.-----But some folks are afraid to take them apart.-----They opt for the " offshore looks the same as original " solution.------I would take it apart for inspection.-----I always do that and some starters just need new brushes at $6.50 a set.-----That is what I get them for at a starter / alternator shop.

 

[hfdad]

Did you have the battery load tested ( even if nearly new ) at a battery retailer ?----These starters are easily damaged by excessive cranking.----They are also elegantly easy to inspect if you have a digital ohmmeter.-----But some folks are afraid to take them apart.-----They opt for the " offshore looks the same as original " solution.------I would take it apart for inspection.-----I always do that and some starters just need new brushes at $6.50 a set.-----That is what I get them for at a starter / alternator shop.

I have not had the battery tested; it is a good one but a couple years old. It would be easy to pull out and have tested. As soon as there is a load on the starter it stalls out and due to its age makes me think its shot. A new Johnson one on Ebay is $128.

 

[racerone]

A factory starter is listed at about $289.00-----But many offshore factories can make one just as good for less money.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

A factory starter is listed at about $289.00-----But many offshore factories can make one just as good for less money.

I found electric motor repair companies that rebuild starters too.