What kind of grease to use on the starter?

[ck85abc3]

1984 85HP force.

The gear on the starter that pops up to engage the flywheel will not go back down.

I'm pretty sure that all I have to do is take the starter apart a little bit, clean, and grease. What grease should I use? Do I need some sort of marine grease? I do not boat in salt water.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What kind of grease to use on the starter?

Just about anything works, but two to avoid would be AquaLube synthetic trailer bearing grease and Johnson/Evinrude's Triple Guard. Too sticky.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What kind of grease to use on the starter?

You don't need to take it apart unless it is really stuck. Otherwise, spray it with WD40 or PB blaster to clean it, work the gear up by hand and use your finger to put some lubricant on the helix (screw). When in the up position engaging the flywheel, the gear is very near the top of the helix. That's why you don't need to remove it to lubricate it. Now work it up and down once or twice to distribute lubricant and you're ready to go.