kajamo240 3 #1 Posted November 5, 2009 My B-80 has been grinding when I try to start it for a while and now it has finally stopped turning over. I am assuming a bad starter or gear ring. I havent taken anything apart yet but I am curious on how much these would cost to replace...? How difficult is it to replace the gear ring? By the drawings, it doesnt seem all that difficult to replace but I always end up getting up over my head once I dive into things like this...... :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,128 #2 Posted November 5, 2009 The ring gear is part and parcel of the flywheel...you will have to replace the flywheel about $20 plus shipping on ebay all the time. That said I doubt it is the ring gear more likely a problem with the pinion on the starter motor or the starter motor itself. Pull the engine sheet metal and you can inspect the flywheel teeth... Go to the Kohler website and download teh free service manual for the K series it has several pages on starter motors....They are also frequently on ebay in teh 30-50 dollar range Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,472 #3 Posted November 6, 2009 Matt/Paul: I had the same kind of grinding noise earlier this year on my B-80 and thought the worse, but eventually I figured out I just had a weak battery. The starter wasn;t gettin eonough juice and ran real, real slow with a very grinding kind of sound. I hooked the charger up and started it and no noise n, no problem. However, next time without the charger she was at it again. I went out and bought a new battery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajamo240 3 #4 Posted November 6, 2009 This battery isnt more than a year old and its been acting up for awhile now. (At least 4 years and getting worse as the years pass.) Should I not be keeping the battery in the tray all the time? I know I have some wires that are pretty corroded as well and that could be the culprit as well... :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dscott2000 1 #5 Posted November 6, 2009 Matt/Paul: I had the same kind of grindling noise earlier this year on my B-80 and thought the worse, but eventually I figured out I just had a weak battery. The starter wasn;t gettin eonough juice and ran real, real slow with a very grinding kind of sound. I hooped the charger up and started it and no noise n, no problem. However, next time without the charger she was at it again. I went out and bought a new battery. Im with you on this one. My Raider had the same problem when I got it and I just gave the battery a quick charge and I was good. Plus, I had a corrosion problem with the ground cable. No biggie.. I just changed out the terminal connector and it was good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #6 Posted November 6, 2009 This battery isnt more than a year old and its been acting up for awhile now. (At least 4 years and getting worse as the years pass.) I just had a battery die that was 11 months old. I have another that is 3 years old, both have been treated the same way... Now the argument is going to start about whether you need to pull the batteries out and store them somewhere warm forr the winter.... A little oil on the bendix system on the end of the starter helps things along as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajamo240 3 #7 Posted November 6, 2009 I just went to Napa and asked for a battery for a riding lawn mower and they gave me just the standard battery. Should I get a larger battery to help assist with the power issue? Now the argument is going to start about whether you need to pull the batteries out and store them somewhere warm forr the winter.... I was going to bring the battery inside this winter so that it didn't freeze and was still warm and ready to go for when I need to do some snowblowing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajamo240 3 #8 Posted December 11, 2009 Battery works great. I took of the flywheel sheild and realized that I need that gear ring and starter. The teeth on both are rounded off! I need to get this fixed before winter is over! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,229 #9 Posted December 11, 2009 I would check with Kohler...the fly wheel is part #114..I did not see anything on the start/generator...shouldn't be to hard to fix. You can't get in over your head with the help on this site. It's like driving in Chicago...you can't get lost...just a little confused. :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #10 Posted December 12, 2009 You may be able to save the ring gear by turning it over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajamo240 3 #11 Posted December 12, 2009 That is a good idea to turn it around but the teeth are barely touching each other anymore... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #12 Posted December 12, 2009 My 520 was pretty bad but I turned it and it has been working great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajamo240 3 #13 Posted December 12, 2009 I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it, right? Sure would save me a few bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
