Cold mower starter wouldn’t engage

[Elkins45]

It’s just around freezing here and I decided to move my riding mower from the garage to the barn for winter storage. The battery is fine but when I turn the starter it just spins and doesn’t engage the flywheel. I assume the cold is causing the bendix gear to not rise, maybe from cold grease?

What are the chances the cautious use of a heat gun would let me get it started?

 

[The_Jeff]

Great idea, give it to 'er.

The gentle approach would be a 100 watt light bulb a couple inches from the subject for a few hours.

 

[ripcord]

It’s just around freezing here and I decided to move my riding mower from the garage to the barn for winter storage. The battery is fine but when I turn the starter it just spins and doesn’t engage the flywheel. I assume the cold is causing the bendix gear to not rise, maybe from cold grease?

What are the chances the cautious use of a heat gun would let me get it started?

Let us know how it works out. Did you give the starter a couple of smacks to see if the bendex would engage?

 

[Elkins45]

Did you give the starter a couple of smacks to see if the bendex would engage?

No, but I will when I try again.

 

[CleanSump]

I'd bet cold grease in the helical gear like you surmise. If you can get a screwdriver to it, pushing it up to engage the flywheel before cranking may work. A shot of aerosol lube up the shaft to the inside of the gear might also loosen it enough to work.

 

[Kira]

And it ain't even cold yet. [speaking to you from the northern end of Lake George, NY.]

 

[Elkins45]

And it ain't even cold yet. [speaking to you from the northern end of Lake George, NY.]

It’s not even cold by our normal standards either, but I also don’t recall ever trying to start it in weather this cold before. The fact it’s almost 20 years old makes me think the cold grease is the issue. I pulled the shroud in the spring to clear out a mouse nest but I don’t remember lubing the starter.

 

[Opelman]

Please don't whack the starter. The permanent magnets used for the field are fragile and just glued to the inside of the case. Very easy to break. Since many small engine starters use an inertia bendix drive I would guess sticky grease on the armature shaft is your issue. Warm it up a bit and see what happens. Pic is Opel starter from my local rebuild shop.

 

[53' Stude]

Let us know how it works out. Did you give the starter a couple of smacks to see if the bendex would engage?

Bd info. Please don’t hit a starter repeatedly. Not sound advice at all.

 

[mk378]

it really wouldn"t help in any case where the starter motor spins but does not engage.

 

[Lubener]

It’s just around freezing here and I decided to move my riding mower from the garage to the barn for winter storage. The battery is fine but when I turn the starter it just spins and doesn’t engage the flywheel. I assume the cold is causing the bendix gear to not rise, maybe from cold grease?

What are the chances the cautious use of a heat gun would let me get it started?

My old Bolens does the same thing. I give the shaft for the bendix a shot of silicone spray lubricant. It could also be the starter isn't spinning fast enough to sling the bendix gear outward because of thick the oil is very thick or the battery is marginal.

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have used pb blaster to activate and thin the cake batter grease from the bendix. But a heat gun or a light blub would be another option for sure. After which and you get it going it may be worth taking it apart, polishing up the bendix shaft and applying new fresh lube.

 

[Lubener]

I have used pb blaster to activate and thin the cake batter grease from the bendix. But a heat gun or a light blub would be another option for sure. After which and you get it going it may be worth taking it apart, polishing up the bendix shaft and applying new fresh lube.

I always found leaving the bendix dry , using a silcone lubricant or graphite worked the best over using grease which did nothing but atract dirt and stiffen up in the cold.

 

[zzyzzx]

First off, put the battery on a charger and get it fully charged. Even if you are leaving in on something like a Battery Tender Jr overnight (or however long it takes, usually not long like a couple of hours). I always have trouble starting mine when it's cold out, it just takes a while and several attempts (as in it just doesn't really want to start when it's cold).

Worst case: Is it possible to push the mower from the garage to the barn?