Starter Problem

[Uinthas]

I have an 1987 85 hp Force. I continually have a problem where the starter gets stuck on the flywheel & I have to take the starter or flywheel off to get it to come down. I have tried greasing it with no luck. could it be the spring is not strong enough? Anyone else experience this?

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Starter Problem

Do an iBoats search on your problem, it's come up before. As I remember it's the bendix spring in the starter, a fairly common problem. Good luck.

 

[Uinthas]

Re: Starter Problem

I did do a search, but only found problems realating to the gear dropping down to fast. Anyone have my problem & any soulutios?? Thanks

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Starter Problem

Is there a buildup of old hardened grease between the starter or flywheel teeth that might jam the starter gear to the flywheel gear? However, if it gets stuck so tight that you have to remove the starter or flywheel I would even consider that the starter isn't the right one. Next time it jams tap the top end of the starter shaft with a piece of wood and a hammer and see if it drops down easy or do you have to drive it down with considerable force. If there's no hardened grease and the starter is the correct unit personally I would shim the starter to provide some clearance.

 

[eldrive]

Re: Starter Problem

I had the same problem with what was "supposed" to be a new starter on my 85 hp. The thing is probably trashed, I got a real nice used one on eBay for $70, works great ever since I swapped it out and its an easy job.

 

[Uinthas]

Re: Starter Problem

I dinked around with it a bit more today.. few years back it got stuck on a lake after it did that.. we replaced the spring & it went away (spring looked good though) it started again last year & now it wont even fall down, this is after buying a new nut because the other one kept rotating off.. After closer inspection the new nut is just a smidge shorter then the origional one, that & being we replaced the spring last time I'm thinking the spring is weaking & not pushing it back down & the new nut not being as long reduces the pressure the spring will produce. This is just a theory & I'm goingto try & find a washer to shim the lenght of the new nut & see if that works. I think a new starter would probably solve the problem but I'm looking for something cheeper, starter still works fine other then this