c175 starter

[wheelwhores 107]

Im relatively new still.  I think my starter is weak, new full battery and when i crank the starter only seems to engage after 5 or 6 tries...like its not actually turning engine over.  Once it engages the engine fires right up.  I cant seem to get to the starter without taking a bunch of exhaust and engine shroud off and we have more snow coming tomorrow...anyone have a part number i can us at napa?  Its a kohler 18 magnum (i dont think thats original engine)

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,472]

Is there a decal on the engine with the spec number on it? That would identify the engine.

 

Is the engine sitting in a cradle that has rubber cushions between it and the frame? If so there is a ground cable between the cradle and the tractor frame and it must be in good shape and tight.

[Jeff-C175 7,206]

2 hours ago, wheelwhores said:

only seems to engage after 5 or 6 tries

 

Sounds like the Bendix drive is sticky, not coming out to engage the flywheel ring gear.

Mine did that for years and I'm probably jinxing it, but has been OK now for many years.

I used to stick the skinny tube from WD40 down into the flywheel screen and try to hit the drive 'blind' but it would work so I guess I was getting the stuff on there.

But it's really not a good idea to lubricate the Bendix because that attracts dirt and dust that sticks to it.

 

Yeah, getting to the starter is a PITA on the original KT engines.  I don't know about your engine though but I'm sure it's similar.

 

[pacer 3,177]

I agree with @Jeff-C175 sounds like the bendix, for a 'down &dirty' temporary fix, try what he described. I had a similar situation on a K482 (the starter on them is a Bi*** to change) and I got by with that for quite a few yrs. Any of the spray lubes would do.....

[953 nut 59,903]

6 hours ago, wheelwhores said:

I think my starter is weak, new full battery

If the starter isn't performing as it should it may be the cables from the battery to solenoid, solenoid to starter or battery to ground cold be the problem. The terminals could be corroded or the cables themselves could need replacement. Any bad connection will act like a big bad resistor and reduce the voltage going to the starter.

[Jeff-C175 7,206]

1 minute ago, 953 nut said:

big bad resistor and reduce the voltage

 

Yes!  and the lower voltage at the starter would mean it would spin up more slowly and the bendix would not spin out as reliably.

 

I definitely noticed this some time ago... battery SEEMED OK, and the solenoid pulled in, but the bendix did not engage.

 

HOWEVER>>>>  when I JUMPED it off my truck, it worked just fine! 

 

SO...  first things first, check and clean all the high current connections and TEST the battery!

Don't ASSume that just because the starter is spinning that the battery is good and fully charged.