Starter Bendix problem............

[mrcj001]

1975 Johnson 135 HP.........

I had to replace a worn starter last fall with a new one.

The bendix on the new starter is not returning back down on the worm gear and is getting jamed with the flywheel.

I took the starter off and the bendix still would not return, so I had to really "wrench" on it to get it loose. It looked a little dry,so I put some light oil on it.

It worked for 20 or so starts but caught me on the lake today.

Is it a bad unit or is it something simple that I am overlooking with the bendix?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Clean the shaft thoroughly with a wire brush, check it for burrs then lightly lube with oil, not WD-40. With the starter mounted properly you should be able to turn the bendix up manually and it mesh smoothly with the flywheel.

 

[mrcj001]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Clean the shaft thoroughly with a wire brush, check it for burrs then lightly lube with oil, not WD-40. With the starter mounted properly you should be able to turn the bendix up manually and it mesh smoothly with the flywheel.

I pretty much did that the first time it did it. Could the spring be the problem??

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

I pretty much did that the first time it did it. Could the spring be the problem??

If it's broken or extremely weak, yes.

 

[mrcj001]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Well, I`m afraid that three times is charm.

Should I return the whole unit for another?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Well, I`m afraid that three times is charm.

Should I return the whole unit for another?

How about a photo before you spend money ???

 

[mrcj001]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Here is some pics of the starter..........

There is some up and down movment of the shaft itself, maybe a 1/8 " or so......

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Could well be the camera angle but it looks like the bendix gear is too far away from the flywheel.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

I had the same issue, but I had a piece break on mine, so I rigged it up a little goofy, but it worked for a while. Went to the local boat shop got all the bendix-spring parts off a used starter for $15 and that solved my problem.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Looks like the wrong bendix. Look at the top of it and how it is worn.

 

[mrcj001]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Looks like the wrong bendix. Look at the top of it and how it is worn.

UPDATE:

The shop replaced the complete starter. Put it on and after a few starts, the drive gear was still jamming against the flywheel. After closer inspection there is to many teeth on the new drive. Two teeth are getting in to one on the flywheel.

Apparently the starter motor was correct but the drive that came with it was not.

I checked iBoats part listings and the drive numbers did not match the OMC part number (385949). I manualy searched the OMC part number on iBoats and the drive also fits some Mercury engines.

Also what was happening, when on the lake , while the engine was running, the drive gears was still engaged to the flywheel. I did notice a big loss of power.

With the drive gear spinning with the engine, it overheated the starter motor itself and this is what happens:

 

[yorab]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

"Well there's your problem!"
-Adam Savage-Mythbusters

 

[Cofe]

Re: Starter Bendix problem............

Looks like the wrong bendix. Look at the top of it and how it is worn.

Yep I agree, those tooths on the starter have decay.