Starter won't disengage

[Xelaw]

My starter won't disengage from the flywheel on my 1990 Force 90 outboard. I can get the engine to start, but the starter won't pop back down. The flywheel just turns it. I haven't run it more than a couple seconds with the starter engaged because I don't want to burn the starter out. The problem initially happened because the nut on top that holds the spring down came loose. I've tightened it very tight, but that didn't help.

 

[further]

Re: Starter won't disengage

Can you manually make it drop down? I would clean the shaft with some carb cleaner (don't use oil/lube cause its sticky and will attract dirt) and qtip and see if you can work it by hand. Bring it up and see if it drops down on its own.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Starter won't disengage

I sprayed it with Seafoam and manually turned the flywheel, but the starter didn't seem to start walking down the shaft, it stayed all the way up.

I've dealt with this before, and I seem to remember that I couldn't freely turn the flywheel while the Bendix gear was engaged because the starter would only let me turn it so far. Also, the Bendix gear would spiral down as I turned it the limited distance that I could. Right now the starter lets me turn the flywheel as much as I want and doesn't spiral down.

 

[milehighboater]

Re: Starter won't disengage

I agree with further, it really does sound like a sticky shaft. I think the only choices you have are clean or replace. I have had good results with a fine grit steel wool and some denatured alcohol, acetone, or if you are a shooter some bore cleaner like hoppies #5 works real well with cleaning up shafts without leaving a greasy residue.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Starter won't disengage

I had starter issues 3 months ago (turns out the top nut just wasn't tight enough) and cleaned the shaft thoroughly in the process. I cleaned it last night and tonight too. The Bendix gear still does not disengage. I'm sure I could remove the flywheel and check the starter out in more detail, but it seems like it would be a pain. Does anybody have any more suggestions before I resort to that?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter won't disengage

Take it off and take it apart.Lube the worm gear under the bendix.Or take it to a starter shop to be rebuilt.Then you will have a good starter for the season.J

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Starter won't disengage

Do I have to remove the flywheel to get the starter out? I didn't look closely at how to remove the starter last night, but it seemed that was the case.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Starter won't disengage

shouldn't have to remove the flywheel.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Starter won't disengage

It came out easily without having to remove the flywheel (not sure what made me think I'd have to do that). I couldn't get the Bendix gear to pop back down, so I bought a new for 60 bucks. It hasn't come yet.

 

[jason32038]

Re: Starter won't disengage

Make sure you keep it lubed up when you get it.