‘81 Johnson 4.5 starter issue

[333Fitter]

Hello,
I have a ‘81 johnson 4.5 that when i pulled rope to start the gears made a funny noise ?
So i spayed some lube on gears and now starter wont engage ?
Any ideas y not ?

 

[fitz73222]

Those inertia swing starters suck. They don't like lube in them, just a clean, dirt free life. Try pulling the handle out rapidly just 5-6" back and forth and it will engage.

 

[333Fitter]

Thanks ill try that !!

 

[timguy]

Get the friction spring off and clean the surfaces, leave these parts dry. Lube very carefully/lightly the rest of the shaft and pinion gear with high quality grease. Stretch out spring a bit and make sure the areas it touches are completely dry. I sometimes roughen up the friction spring a bit where it contacts the spool and pinion plate. NO means no lube here. Almost every one I get in my repair shop has been improperly lubed. Every one that leaves is working as good as new.

 

[333Fitter]

Thank you

 

[fitz73222]

This guy can also walk you through your stater challenges. He did a segment about your stater design and making it work again. Just search through his website.

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