Starter question

Post by **tombiosis** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:11 pm

Hi...
I've got a Honda 40, 1998. I heard a weird rattle sound a few weeks back, kind of like a "Frrrrr.......frrrr....frrrrrrrrrrr. The sound went away, then slipped my mind.
Yesterday I went out with the boat again, and the starter was intermittant, then would not start. I pulled the cover and opened the "emergency start" enclosure, and noticed that the spring which raises the cog wheel to engage the starting was jammed. There were a few metal filings around the starter, likely a result of the aformentioned weird sound.
Obviously the spring which raises then lowers the gear for starting is wearing out.
What is the best way to fix this issue? Hopefully I don't need an entire new starter...Seems to me it is just the part on top that raises and lowers...
Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
Tom

Post by **rickr** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:46 pm

You can take the starter to any Starter rebuilder.

Post by **Billy Bones** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:59 am

The Frrrrr.......frrrr....frrrrrrrrrrr sound is probably the starter turning but not engaging the flywheel.

Had the same problem on an Evinrude 25hp. Mine also had metal around the shaft. My fault for not giving it a good grease job. Took it apart, cleaned and emery cloth the shaft, and gave it a good grease job. Worked like a charm after that. Now, greasing the shaft is part of my regular maintenance. Hope this helps.

Billy Bones

Post by **Haybay Larry** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:38 am

A good lube job on that starter shaft should be part of annual maintenance.
A weak battery can show a similar problem by not fully engaging the starter pinion to the flywheel. The noise you hear can be the starter attempting to engage the fly wheel but the battery dosen't have enough power.
....Larry

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:31 am

I think your two primary things to do before you start spending money are what Billy Bones and HB Larry recommended. Had the same problem on a 30 Evinrude. All that was needed was to lubircate the starter.
If that's not it, check your electrical. There was a great post regarding this a couple months back. Check that post out as the Fishhawk resident mechanic Mike M gives an excellent explanation on what to check for.

Post by **JRSuprstar** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:55 am

I had this symptom with my 50hp Merc, and the simple repair was exactly what is posted here...fully charged battery and lube the starter shaft...that got me mobile, and now it's regular maintenance...Cheers

JR

Post by **tombiosis** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:53 pm

Thanks very much for all the replies!
WD40 seems to have solved the problem.
Cheers!

Post by **jig head** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:57 pm

Post by **Terry_F** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:12 pm

tombiosis wrote:Thanks very much for all the replies!
WD40 seems to have solved the problem.
Cheers!

Great news that you're running again.
Note, WD40 probably worked to remove the old grease.
IMHO, although it appeared to fix your problem, you need to grease this part properly, especially with winter storage coming up.

WD40 is a great fixer, but may not be the right long term solution, otherwise we'd all be using everywhere.

Post by **JRSuprstar** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:50 am

WD40 evaporates and, therefore, an application of grease is needed for proper lubrication, but it would clear away the debris...

JR

Post by **Haybay Larry** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:45 pm

The only type of grease to use on an outboard or anything used in a water environment is white lithium grease. It will last forever.
...Larry