Mercury blackmax starter
 

Hi guys trying to figure out why my starter is disengaging on a 1988 Mercury 135. I need to turn key sometimes 10 times before it will go. I opened up the cowling to see what was happening, the bendix gear was getting thrown back down and then I hear a whining noise. I bought new batteries last year and removed/maintained them over the winter. My local dealer mentioned not getting spark to all cylinders, I told him I am getting 5400 rpm at full throttle so he agreed with me it can't be a spark plug issue.


I know alot of guys run V6 mercs on this site anyone else experience this any info would much appreciated. Thanks!

Simple and first question, is the shaft the bendix slides on well oiled/greased?

Don, yes i oiled that shaft two weeks ago I haven't tried grease yet, will try. Sometimes i hear a lot of back pressure from motor then starter disengages. I ran seafoam through the motor last week thought I had carbon build up but same results. Thanks.

Clean all connections on the starting solenoid, starter and most important
the grounds!! This will cause more problems then most would think of..

Wire wheel, sand paper what ever you have make all the connections
nice and shiney!!

The old 2.0's are almost bullet proof!

Keep us posted..

Ken, thanks for the reply I will give that a try.

Bullet proof, I know it's still pushing my hull 38-40 MPH at full throttle, and the motor has never been apart. I just need to figure out this starting issue so I can shut her down while I'm drifting.

I had a similar problem with my starter did all the things mentioned but continued with the problem.
Finally I thought that I would have to get a new starter, so I said what's the worst that can happen if I take it apart. When apart I found what I want to say was a "carbon" like dust on the bottom part of the starter, cleaned it all out put starter back together and its been fine so far

Hope it helps

Jorge, thanks for reply sounds good I guess it won't hurt to take it apart and clean it up probably has never been done.