M-18 spark plug and starter questions
 

OK, I keep getting set backs on this project I am working on. I finally got some time to start on this again and in the process of starting the engine it stopped turning over. Well as you can see in the pictures the starter is stuck in the engage position. I can't turn the engine enough to free it. I guess I'll pull the engine and take the starter off. I cleaned it and put a new return spring on a while back and it was working great. I hope it is just a starter problem.
I also took out the spark plugs to check them. There is some sort of gray/silver around the holes and on the threads of the plugs. It looks like a sealant of some sort. It is flaky but not totally dry. What would this be? The threads in the head are good. Is it some sort of anti-seize maybe?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...c/plughole.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ac/starter.jpg

Yeah, that looks like anti-seize on the plug threads. I do that with mine, too.

That starter almost looks like it has grease on the bendix...if so, that's why it sticks. Dry lube is needed there.

No grease on the bendix, it's silicon spray. Is there a trick to get it loose without taking the starter off? It won't spin the engine at all like it is. I can't move the driveshaft at all.

Chip

A couple of things on the Kohler Courages I've found that may be a problem here too, do know might be worth checking.

1) Is is there a fully charged battery in the machine? Lots of times on the Courage, the battery is too small in capacity, and it gets hung up like that.

2) What Matt said dry lube

3) Check to be sure the starter is secured correctly

I was doing an oil change on the welder the other day and say something that looked like a flywheel tooth laying on the deck. Got to looking at the starter, it was loose, I don't have a clue how it happened but it did. The welder has a Command on it.

The battery is fully charged and to make sure I was getting enough power to the starter I hooked up jumper cables to it from a running car.

What type of dry lube, graphite? Is silicone not good?

The starter is tight.

I'll find out today what the problem is, going to pull the eingine. I hope it is just jammed in there and there are NO broken teeth.

Thanks for the help.

Don't know what you are working on, but on my 782 I don't have to pull the motor to remove the starter on the M-18 engine, just long extensions and a universal joint/long socket coming in from the front of the tractor.

Thanks, I was wondering if I could get in there like that. I'll give it a shot.

I don't know if this would work but what if you took a set of jumpers from a car and hooked them up backwards directly to the starter to spin it in reverse? Just an idea.

Doubt it...the direction of rotation should be set by how the armature is wound.

OK, I got the starter off. The nut on the end of the shaft came off! How do I fix this? Either put a lock washer on or double nut it? Or do I need to get a lock nut?

It should have had a metal lock nut to begin with, so just get another one of those.

Oh well, guess I'll get one tomorrow. Not what I wanted to hear tonight. I've got several beers invested in this not to mention spending most of the day fixing a problem with my outdoor wood boiler:angry: Oh well, all is good. We have heat:beer2:

Glad to hear you got it apart. Heat is a good thing. No snow is better. This is what I had to deal with last winter in CT and one of the reasons I moved to VA. Please forgive the fact that it's not a CUB. :beerchug:

I like the snow we get here in NC, 6-10 inches and in four days it's mostly gone. I would hate to deal with that all winter long. I think I saw you post somewhere that you are in Galax. I was born and raised in the big city of Big Island VA. That's on hwy 501 near Lynchburg, I come by you to see my dad. Will have to get in touch next time I'm up that way.

Chip

Love to have you stop by some time. Looks like we have a bunch of members in this area.

Sam

I got the starter off but I cheated:biggrin2: There was only a small tab from the back cover that was in my way of getting to the bottom nut on the starter so I took a pair of tin snips to it and cut it off. It was only about one inch. I know that probably protected the starter shaft some but I cut it anyway. It was a breeze getting it of and on without pulling the engine.
I couldn't get an extension in there as the power steering lines are in the way.
I can add a tab to the side panel to make up for what I cut off the back cover if needed.
Anyways, it's all good. Bought a new steel lock nut and it's good to go.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../starter-1.jpg

Magnet Loose?
 

cub149: I've been reading your M18 posts with interest, as I have an M18 in a 782. Looking at the picture of the starter and the clever shroud mod you made, it appears to me that the magnet which fires the magneto has slipped a little. I know it is bolted onto the flywheel, and I'm wondering if one of the bolts backed out a bit. A slight movement of the magnet might account for the scuff marks on the magnet itself, and may be contributing to the issues with the starter.

Oops, I notice that it's been over a year since you posted on this topic, I can only hope that there wasn't an issue, or that you resolved it successfully. :)