Bendix didn’t lift the pinion today

**pcrussell50** · 06-30-2021, 07:46 PM

edit: solved … see last post

Stock 1987 2.0l V150…

Starter motor been working great for the last six years since I got this motor. Been working great this season. Worked great this morning. Beached out on a sand bar most of the day, then about 330pm decided to head back to the marina. Go to start it and just get the whirring noise. The Bendix is not slinging the pinion up into the flywheel. Tried multiple times same result. Then I opened the clamshell, pried up on the pinion with a screwdriver, turned the key and it started right up. :shrugs: Stopped and started a few more times at the ramp once safely on the trailer. Like it never even happened.

So… any way to tell if that was a one-off event or is the solenoid that slings the pinion on the way out and I’m asking for trouble if I keep going and ignore what happened?

If it’s time for the old dog to be taken out to the woodshed, where would you buy a new/rebuilt starter for a 1987 generation 2.0l V150? NAPA maybe? What would you do if it was yours?

-Peter

**David - WI** · 06-30-2021, 09:44 PM

Low battery.

**pcrussell50** · 06-30-2021, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by David - WI

Low battery.

It’s brand new. 5/21. Now it’s a deep cycle size 24. 675 MCA. And the marine starting batteries are closer to 1000. But this is the battery I’ve been using for years. It zings the motor effortlessly too.

I’m going to clean and inspect the pinion shaft for galling or gunk buildup. If that all checks out I’ll probably take your advice and ditch the deep cycle in favor of a proper marine starting battery.

And tomorrow I’ll watch my volt meter to make sure the regulator goes into charging mode.

Thanks for pitching in.

-Peter

**David - WI** · 06-30-2021, 11:45 PM

I just meant low from the radio, charging phones, or whatever while you were beached? Mine was due to a bad rectifier... was only putting out 1/2 the amps, so the battery would get low from trimming up & down while running. The starter has to jump up to sped quickly... inertia causes the bendix to engage.

This guy shows how the bendix works https://m.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=RhdSq4WOaDM

**ultrascott** · 07-01-2021, 06:03 AM

I was having similar issues. My mechanic suggested giving the bendix a squirt of wd-40, that worked but only temporarily. not wanting to get stranded one day I went ahead and got a new starter. Arco Marine for the starter.

**Dave Strong** · 07-01-2021, 10:40 AM

They can get gummed up over time, clean shaft and gear with brakekleen. Drop of 30w oil on shaft and gear should be fine.

Dave

**pcrussell50** · 07-01-2021, 07:54 PM

So another day on the lake. This time problem-free. The pinion gear shot up and behaved normally every time today. For good measure, after we go home, I shot some AeroKroil down the pinion shaft, then followed that up with some Reel-X, which is runny but not watery. And of course I can spin it up the shaft effortlessly by hand, too. Seems like the stuck pinion yesterday was just a one-time deal? We'll see.

Originally Posted by David - WI

I just meant low from the radio, charging phones, or whatever while you were beached? Mine was due to a bad rectifier... was only putting out 1/2 the amps, so the battery would get low from trimming up & down while running. The starter has to jump up to sped quickly... inertia causes the bendix to engage.

Thanks Dave. This boat is so simple, it actually doesn't even have charging outlets or a radio. My wife brings a pre charged bluetooth speaker for beaching. I had a look at rectifier operation today, using the volt meter on my very basic SONAR unit. (I don't use it for fishing, I use it for water temp, speed paddle, volt meter, depth, distance, etc... It doesn't even have GPS. It was $140 brand new ten years ago). Anyway, I verified that the rectifier was charging the battery when underway. And when I got home a couple of hours ago and put the battery on the trickle charger like I always do, it wasn't long before the charger said the battery was full. Just a few minutes.

-Peter

**97mirage** · 07-02-2021, 06:59 PM

On our drag boat we had an issue where a sharp edge on the end of the spring got jammed between the outside of the shaft and the inside of the pinion gear which impeded its proper action. Not likely that’s your issue but something to confirm???

**Dave Strong** · 07-02-2021, 07:08 PM

No one ever puts a drop of oil on the starter shaft where the drive rides. People buy a Mercury service manual and READ it ft to back. It will tell you to do that at a specific interval. I fix many no crank problems every spring from customers that think they are mechanics and do their own service work.

Dave

**perfmarine1** · 07-03-2021, 09:18 AM

Molylube grease is what should be used. WD will evaporate in short time

**Dave Strong** · 07-03-2021, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by perfmarine1

Molylube grease is what should be used. WD will evaporate in short time

Mercury says drop of light oil, 30w has been good to me.

Dave

**Dave S** · 07-04-2021, 01:47 AM

Some times the motor starts and Slames the starter gear down......And the starter splines get stuck.......I have put washers under the gear to stop this issue....... or grind the inner bendix splines.......JMO.......

**Whaaaaat** · 07-04-2021, 07:03 AM

Think I cleaned it up good then shmeared a little tefgel on mine last time I messed with it. That stuff sticks like you read about and lubes just as good.

**perfmarine1** · 07-04-2021, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Dave Strong

Mercury says drop of light oil, 30w has been good to me.

Dave

It's not a mercury!

**Chaz** · 07-04-2021, 08:32 AM

Bendix , Like as in Vincent Bendix .... ???

They "were" an American corporation from 1924 to 1983 .. they got Pac-maned up by many bigger fish until they are more than likely owned by ...

我想他们现在叫本迪克斯...谁汉螺丝公司

even though the "world headquarters" is still in Ohio.

As far as the "Bendix drive" is concerned , since no one take's the time to disassemble , clean , remove burr's and worn spots before putting them back together ... just give it a spritz of what ever is handy ...