dcairns560 6 #1 Posted November 13, 2021 My son was using my D160 earlier today, he shut it off for a few minutes, when he tried to start it again it made an awful grinding noise and wouldnt start. I found that the starter was stuck engaged with the flywheel and I couldnt get it to release. I removed the starter and tested it with jumper cables, it engaged and retracted the bendix as it should. Reinstalled the starter and now it starts but it seems noticeably louder when cranking and when the bendix disengages the flywheel it makes a kind of "bang" sound. My instinct is that the starter is taking a dump. Any other thoughts? It has the Onan 16hp engine Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,719 #2 Posted November 13, 2021 Clean and lubricate the starter drive. If that doesn't help, you may need to replace the starter, but know that the imported cheap ones may be junk. Try to find a good used one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,190 #3 Posted November 13, 2021 @dcairns560 agree with above , use a graphite based lubricant , might even check out that flywheel if possible for rough tooth edges , hanging up that engagement . detail every area , hope it helps , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse520H 708 #4 Posted November 13, 2021 @dcairns560 If you do need a new starter, like @lynnmor said be very careful with the lower priced ones. I bought one off Amazon for about $100 last year and it made a horrible grinding so I had to repair the old one and lost $100. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcairns560 6 #5 Posted November 19, 2021 Thanks for the advice guys. Tonight I cleaned and lubed the starter shaft. Also used a trick I found in a youtube video about setting the clearance for the starter gear to the flywheel teeth. The video suggested temporarily placing a pair of zipties between a starter tooth and two teeth on the flywheel to hold the needed clearance between them as the starter mounting bolts are tightened down. It worked like a champ. Now it is back to sounding normal while cranking and the starter is no longer hanging up in the flywheel. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,190 #6 Posted November 19, 2021 @dcairns560 back in the day starter motor shimming was SOP , on cars , another thing , now that you have that problem covered , use that problem gain to enhance any related issues . rarely wait for a failure , to happen , it will start to show itself in some way , pay attention to anything that is acting up . my regular operational checks , could find something just starting to act up , that's the time to get after it , correct it and enhance its performance . my used to be problem areas are now rock solid , just an insight , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
