grinding when staring

[mark barton]

When turning over 90hp mercury 2 stroke all I get is a grinding sound. Any ideas. Just started this morning, no signs or symptoms prior.

 

[Robert Glenn]

sounds like your starter has a bad bendix spring. (when your bendix goes bad it doesn't let your starter fully engage)

 

[Robert Glenn]

you also could have a flat spot on your fly wheel

 

[Hyco Bass]

Same issue 2 years ago, similar motor. Solved by squirting lithium white grease up under the "bendix bell" on the top of the starter shaft and working it is with a few starts. This lubed the worm gear and (clutch ?) allowing the mechanism to rise when the starter motor spins up and drop out after the motor started. It would hesitate and grind otherwise. Also check 1) all the teeth on you flywheel for damage ($$) and 2) the bolts holding the started are still there and tight.

 

[Chris Droke]

I lube mine with silicone spray. I found in time the white lithium will attract every dirt and dust molecule around and become pretty sticky.

 

[TrepMan]

Had similar problem this weekend, on mine the starter is shot, new one coming tomorrow. The only way I figured out what was wrong was to pull the cowl on the water (it worked for an hour then wouldn't crank over just grind), and watched what happened when it was trying to start. So if the boat is at the house, hook up the muffs/water, pull the cowl, turn ON the water, and see which part is or isn't working.



Trep

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Mine was the bendix also...like said a lil' lube does the trick usually.