cod 116 #1 Posted June 6, 2014 Soooo, when one has too gently "tap" ones starter motor in order for it to work, what's going on? Does the motor need to be cleaned internally? Does the return spring assembly need to be replaced? I had taken the starter apart a couple of weeks ago to clean the shaft the engagement gear rides on and while I wiped the interior out to clean it up, I didn't use any electronic clean spray to clean the windings. Without a "tap" one hears the whirring of the starter but no cranking and a light tap gets it to turn over and fire up. Any information would be rather helpful as I've never rebuilt a starter before but then again it might be time to look for a new one. Thanks - Cod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,928 #2 Posted June 7, 2014 Be careful tapping. The Kohler starters are permenent magnet motors and if you hit the starter too hard you will break a magnet and will be throwing it away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,011 #3 Posted June 7, 2014 You might oil the shaft or use a dry lubricant to see if that helps. I think the drive engages with centrifugal force as the starter motor turns. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,897 #4 Posted June 7, 2014 It does sound like the Bendix assembly is hanging up. Dry lubricants work best as they don't attract dirt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #5 Posted June 7, 2014 Those magnets are really brittle. There is a sticker on the starters that warns you not to tap them. If the starter is spinning then it must be the bendix hanging up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #6 Posted June 7, 2014 I see all kinds of dry lubricant sprays out there... teflon, silicone, graphite..does it matter which type you use? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cod 116 #7 Posted June 8, 2014 Quick followup, took the starter off this morning and lubed the shaft with powered grafite. Thanks for the comments and we'll see if this eliminates the problem! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbartlett1958 96 #8 Posted June 18, 2014 Make sure your battery is good. Bad battery can mimic starter issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,545 #9 Posted June 18, 2014 pretty well every horse I've had has either a sticky solenoid or sticky start bendix. They've all had dings in the cowl where someone has used a hammer!!!! It's only a 10 minute job to fix too 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjcap 13 #10 Posted July 17, 2014 The same thing is happening on my C-125. Turn the key and the starter whirrs but does not engage the flywheel. Battery is new this season, checked all connections and before doing much else I tapped the starter with a small set of pliers and she fired right up. Cut for about thirty minutes, parked to get a new beer and the same thing happened. I'll pull it off and clean it and apply some graphite to the shaft tonight. If I do need a new starter I need suggestions please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,230 #11 Posted July 21, 2014 If the starter is working, but just not engaging the fly wheel...and the Bendix, spring and shaft are all clean and lubed...you might try shimming the starter where it mounts on the engine. Cut a piece of sheet metal to match the mount pattern (or 2) and bolt the starter back up. This worked on my Raider 10. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #12 Posted August 2, 2014 Happened upon this today... seems like it was made for the job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
