Starter

[DonV]

No kidding Ken, I thought this process should have been placed on page one of the maintenance section of the owner's manual. Every one of the six old style OMC engines I have owned required steady lubrication maintenance on the bendix starter shaft. If you let it sit for a few months it was automatic the bendix would stick.

[Capt Terry]

My last Merc 150 lasted 28 years. It sometimes needed a shot of WD-40 as well on the starter Bendix. For saltwater usage also sprayed the entire engine under the hood when brand new & once in a while with CRC soft seal.

[TomParis]

Ok I got the Dry Lube and I am ready to go, but here is what mine looks like, I am unsure what I need to remove to access the shaft and benedix.

Any help is appreciated.

20160524_194600 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr


20160524_194603 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

[Normagain]

My understanding is these motors will not even spark, hence start, unless the starter is cranking the motor at a certain speed. ECM will say no sparky, no go. I got a free FICHT and changed out the starter, solenoid and the wire that goes between the two. The starter was around $80, and pretty sure that was the issue on mine, corrosion showing, 15 years old, etc. It would crank great but after changing the starter, it cranked a bit faster and started right up. Low battery or even a new battery without enough cranking amps would have the same effect.