Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

[Jake N]

What's the cure for a weak recoil starter? It has a nut and slotted bolt in the center.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

You have the right idea, wind it up a turn, before loosening the nut-ck for dirt or binding at the pawls, then ck and see if anyones notched the rope pulley so the rope can be tighened there. If not bend the lock tabs down enough to grt a boxed end wrench on the nut and loosen it about 3/4 of a turn (LEFT HAND THREADS) while holding the shaft with a large screwdriver, then turnn the shaft c/clockwise to tighted\n the spring and tighiten it all back up. Use care or you may have to completely disassemble the starter, clean and reassemble which can be tough for a novice

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

I'd bet the grease is dry and doing more sticking than slipping. It may need a good cleaning and lubricating. Only lubricate the spring and axis. Don't grease the pawls, they need friction to operate properly.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

sometimes a squirt of wd 40 will free them up.

 

[Jake N]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

I guess I need to pull it off the crank first, huh?

Or should I try shooting WD40 at it while it's still on the motor?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

WD should work temporarily, but may dry out again. I use storage fogging oil for quick starter solutions. Or spray lithium grease.

To do it right you'd need to disassemble and it can be a hazardous job regarding the spring. Taking if off won't help all by itself. You still can't get where you need to get. I've never tried this, but a 1/8 hole drilled 1 1/2" from the center in the top should allow a spray-can tube to get at the spring area. It's in about a 3"dia area. That won't grease the pivot, but it might help enough.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

double post

 

[Laddies]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

Take the time and take it off even to lube it, that spraying oil up under the flywheel only makes a mess, inless of course you don't mind what it looks like,
After all the type of repairs made are the repairmans signature and only reflect on their ability--Bob

 

[Jake N]

Re: Weak recoil starter on '76 Mercury 20hp

'Preciate it guys. It works like a charm now.