Starter acting funny

[Merc90HPnewbie]

In an 1985 90hp inline 6 mercury outboard...<br />This boat is new to me this season. The first few times I took the boat out the motor was a bit hard to start but once it got going it was OK. The last 2 times the starter had this odd problem. It would spin the motor over once or twice but then disengage (I could still hear it whirring but it was obviously not spinning the motor). It's like it gives up after spinning the motor once or twice. It does eventually start the motor though but it is kind of scary...<br />What causes the starter to engage and disengage? I dont know but I am assuming the gear on top of the starter is dropping down and not spinning the flywheel at the top of the motor. I never understood what makes it come up anyway. Centrifugal force? A solenoid?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[daritzzz]

Re: Starter acting funny

Hi,<br />Looks like the "pignon" is than not coming out.<br />It must come out by centrifugal force.<br />It's possible it is a little seized on the shaft.<br />You can try spraying some wd 40 on the shaft.<br />Than regrease it.<br />If this don't work, it's possible that it's time to change the cowl's.<br />Due to bad cowl's, starter won't make enough rpm to create the force needed for pignon to come out.<br />Good luck<br /><br />Tirett

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Starter acting funny

It also could not be getting enough power. You might need a new battery or cables or clean the connections.