1995 8HP 2-stroke - Recoil starter does not engage the flywheel

It's serial #0G149543. Nothing is locked up and all the springs are present and working.

When the handle is pulled, the pawls start to move out, but then stop before engaging the flywheel.
It looks like there may be too much lubrication between the sheave turning and the cam plate that pushes the pawls.
Or, maybe the spring loading of the cam plate is too weak.

Can I pull the cam retainer bolt out, in order to clean and grease, without the whole thing
flying apart on me? The Factory Service Manual has the starter rope coming out....not sure
if that is actually needed.

Also have a 1998 that seems to be developing similar trouble....this must be quite common.
Hoping I don't have to purchase a whole new starter assembly!

Well, I answered my own question.

You CAN take the cam-plate retainer bolt out without everything flying apart.
There was a lot of old sticky grease under the cam plate. I cleaned all of that
out and re-greased with 2-4-C marine grease. The starter is working like new.

For the record: the starter rope does NOT have to come out in order
to do this cleaning and lubrication.

I did the same thing on the 1998 engine....same good result!
END-OF-PROBLEM.

well done,whitegreg56