Is my onan starter dead

[tyler]

On page 24c-37 of the OEM manual it says the overrun clutch should only turn one direction. I have the starter disassembled, and I can in fact turn
the gear both directions. Is this a sign of death or can it be cleaned/aligned or any other back in service solutions?

It has always made a lot of noise even when successful.

What I am not certain for cause/effect is that it binds up the starter motor when unsuccesful (about 60% of the time). But it seems like if the clutch
did not work, the starter would spin free and not start the engine. (i.e. gear would engage, but starter motor spin up to no effect)

Thoughts or help always appreciated...

--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC

 

[Matt Colie]

> On page 24c-37 of the OEM manual it says the overrun clutch should only turn one direction. I have the starter disassembled, and I can in fact
> turn the gear both directions. Is this a sign of death or can it be cleaned/aligned or any other back in service solutions?
> It has always made a lot of noise even when successful.
>
> What I am not certain for cause/effect is that it binds up the starter motor when unsuccesful (about 60% of the time). But it seems like if the
> clutch did not work, the starter would spin free and not start the engine. (i.e. gear would engage, but starter motor spin up to no effect)
> Thoughts or help always appreciated...

Tyler,

Your reading of the manual is correct - unfortunately. Fortunately, in a town the size of Raleigh there is just bound to be a remaining good
automobile electrics place that repairs such things.

What you might try, that thing behind the gear is a sprag clutch that is supposed to only rotate one way.....
I have never had one apart. Never needed to. I did successfully clean one that was not free either way by squirting it full of brake cleaner.

If that doesn't work, it is time for you to make a new friend. When you find one and go in, remember that these people rarely work on passcar size
stuff anymore and so lawnmower miniature may be something that they just don't what to deal with at all. It is worth a try.

Best of Luck there.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[john r. lebetski]

The Onan engine came to us from garden tractor service. Among them the John Deere 318 series. An old lawn mower shop that is knowledgable on those
may have an NOS part in a dusty box, probably cheaper than from Cummins Onan.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II