starter drive sticking

[DavidBarkey]

Onan starter drive sticking / not engaging with the fly wheel It has done it a couple of times in the couple of days . I think it is freezing up . A couple of taps with soft faced blunt instrument and it works . Any of you guys run in to this and what fixed it ?

[Harry]

I did a few years ago. I took the starter to a auto electric repair shop and it worked for a while then stated not engaging properly again. I ended up buying a new starter that was been working fine for a couple of years now. Harry

[Toolslinger]

When they get tired, the cold seems to make it show...
Just went through it on a 444.

[JSinMO]

My 446 will do that once in awhile. It’s pretty greasy so at some point I figure I’ll have to try and clean it up but at this point I’m doing the percussive maintenance same as you.

[myerslawnandgarden]

Obviously, removal, cleaning and lubrication is the correct way to go but also involves a lot of work and it's cold out!

If the bendix drive is stuck and will not engage, a screwdriver/small pry bar between the rear of the bendix and the starter with a bit of pressure on it should then jump right out with a bump of the key. With the gear engaged with the flywheel teeth, clean the armature shaft as well as possible with non-chlorinated brake cleaner and then lubricate with WD40, that should keep it working for awhile. This always seems to rear it's head in colder weather when any accumulation of grease/dirt becomes stiffer.

If you do take the starter off to give it a good cleaning, then there's the age old argument of whether to use a lubricant or not on the bendix drive or leave it dry since oil/grease attracts dirt. Kohler does offer their own recommended brand of starter drive lubricant which is what I use, doesn't look much different than your typical white grease.

Bob

[DavidBarkey]

Thanks Bob , I have a warm shop to put it in , but of course it has been full of other people stuff I have been working on. I will get it inside thawed out and dried off . Then I will clean and lube some low temp Teflon spray I have . It is slippery but does not stay wet to attract dirt . And hope for the best . Other than the drive not engaging a couple of times it cranks it over fine hot or cold .

[ssmewing]

Boomer always hated it when starters did not have a plastic sleeve on the starter bendix. He said it was vital to protecting the starter drive.

I just replaced a cheap charlie starter that was made in 2017.

The fuel system was all original, including the fuel line that kept its shape after it was removed. He could rarely get it to start and that ruined the starter.

The new cheap charlie starter should last now that the engine starts within 3-4seconds at idle and only fully choked briefly. Now, you are more likely to flood it if you use too much choke.

[DavidBarkey]

After thawing out drying off and lubing the bendex drive it work as it should now .

[propane1]

What did you lube it with Dave. ?

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

What did you lube it with Dave. ?

Noel

I used Triflow with Teflon , The new stuff has PTFE in it . But there are a number of similar "dry lube" out there I think would do the same thing . I want to thank Bob for the idea of using a lube that will not attract dirt or gum up when cold out .