Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

[sidechoke67]

I have a new (July 09) Sierra starter in my Volvo 3.0 L whose bendex wasn't engaging the fly wheel this week. So, I pulled the starter, and sprayed the shaft with WD-40, gently pryed the bendex forward a couple of times, and put the starter back in. I also cleaned all the connections - although they all looked pretty clean to me already. Anyway, now the starter is working fine.

So...anyone have any guesses on how likely I am to have the same issue at some point in the near future? Did I really "fix" it...or is it still likely a bad starter that will do the same thing again soon?

Any thoughts/guesses, etc., are appreciated.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

A very high bilge water level could allow water to sling up behind the flywheel and cause some rusting.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

all lubed up i bet it lasts a while even longer with a dry clean bilge

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

There wasn't any rusting...the starter is brand new, and the fly wheel looked fine. I don't have any high bilge/water issues...

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

thats right i remember your thread now i still think you will be set for a long while you did all the right stuff!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Just for future reference, spitting on the starter shaft will do as much good as using WD-40. I would have put on a light layer of waterproof grease.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

While I certainly hope you experience no more sticky bendix problems with that starter I do agree with Bruce, WD40 is not a long term oil and does not cling well or stick around very long. WD40 means "Water Displacement formula #40", works great for what it was designed for. But it is not a good shaft lube.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Yeah! I quit using WD40 a couple decades ago. At best, it's a short time fix.

PB blaster is much better as an inexpensive penetrating oil. Aero Kroil is about the best.

Grease would have been much better.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

starters come dry with no lube thats why they use bushings and not bearings in MY opinion wd40 was the way to go as it wont last long and gather dirt and grime as it would using grease that would just stay there to grind on the shaft but hey each to there own

 

[proxyx]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

true, starters are dry

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Normally, I would agree but after having starters with rust build up on the shaft from sitting over the winter, I am willing to take the risk of the dirt attraction. In a boat, water is our enemy and not dirt like in an automotive application.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

OK on that note, all the metal shavings will stick like the dirt will and actually start the rust process faster, the way i see it is keep it dry so no dirt or metal flakes can stick but still thats just my way of seeing it lol

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

I just remembered that my Volvo service manual has a whole section on how to clean the starter motor. I'll check that when I get home and see what they say about dry vs. grease vs. oil on that shaft....

Thanks everyone!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

There wasn't any rusting...the starter is brand new,

I have never had to lube any starter ever - not in my boat nor my car. They both get wet - and the car starter probably gets wet more often than the boat. But even if the need is there due to a long winter layover, I would question why you need to lube a starter that is brand new. To me, the simple and obvious thing to do is to take it back where you bought it and get a replacement.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

In my first 25 or so years of working engines/ starters, I never had to buy a starter because the rebuild kits had all the necessary parts. The roller bearing in the nose was lightly greased as well as the shaft and helical splines, if applicable.


...AND THERE IS NO REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTOMOTIVE AND MARINE STARTERS. Ford has a band clamp over the linkage cover, that's about all.

Starter brushes have always had a cover/band that enclosed the only area where sparks occur. The high amp contacts are completely enclosed in the electro-magnet(the smaller cylinder above the starter)


The only reason a starter gets a marine rating is if the manufacturer pays for the inspection and rating and gets to charge more.

Same thing with coils. If a coil leaks spark anywhere, something is defective.

 

[proxyx]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Actually there is. Build-wise they are the same except marine starter on a V8 will have a rubber membrane behind bendix mechanism for safety. Due to build differences smaller starter like on V6 don't need one (they have gears separating 2 parts). On a V8 you could see starter sparking through bendix opening so manuf. put a membrane (sort of flame arrestor). Otherwise the same.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Oops!
Just found a 4.3 starter with a pliable plastic gasket between the solenoid and nose cone on old style starter.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Regarding a dry shaft, touch that shaft on a new or reman correctly built starter and I guarantee you will have to clean off your finger...I'm just sayin'.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

I started this thread and just wanted to follow-up. The starter being "fixed" was short-lived. It went back to doing the same thing right away. It is on its way back to the manufacturer now.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Bendex wasn't engaging flywheel - "fixed" - but for how long?

Do you know if the starter was not engaging because it was binding, trying to engage or just not kicking out far enuff. Bending the linkage arms works to get the bendix further out but if it's binding trying to engage, there are shim kits to back off the starter from the block to give more clearance.