Starter issue on my 1811
 

Today I opened up my 1811 to get to my starter to clean the Bendix gear. I discovered that my Bendix engages the starter gear but then the drive turns but not the gear. It seems like there is a clutch inside the big ring that is behind the gear. On the rear side of the starter there is a long black plastic cover that moves fore and aft with the gear so I couldn't see if there was a nut or not on the end of the drive shaft. Does anyone know exactly what is in the ring around the drive shaft that is behind the starter gear? The gear jumps out to engage the ring gear on the engine every time but then the starter will run and the shaft turns but the gear does not. I had sprayed carb cleaner up in the starter gear to clean it out and after that it would not turn the gear at all. After a while, I think it dried out, it started every time I turned the key. Also, on the rear sheet metal screw that is on the rear bottom, how do you get it started in the hole again? I could not get it in. I'm also worried about how to get the two starter nuts on if I have to replace the starter. Taking them off will be tricky but putting them back on will be a doozy. Any ideas?

The best way to get that sheet metal screw started is to use a ratchet style 3/8 wrench and turn with one hand while reaching with the other to help get some threads started. I've currently got mine apart awaiting my new starter by ups. I learned a little trick working on helicopters that works which is putting some vaseline on the starter nut and then placing it on the end of the socket you should be able to reach in from the rear with some extensions. the vaseline helps it stay in place on the socket til you get the threads started.

Tin screw
 

Thanks for the tips. I can get one finger in the slot but I am not sure if I can get both. I am thinking of spot welding a nut on the tin on the outside and then starting the screw in so that it sticks inside a little bit and then it would be easy to start in the inside hole and be easy to turn with a flat ratchet. CC must have been of the mindset of the original VW company where they removed the engine in under five minutes to do ANY type of work on their cars. I haven't removed my CC engine so I don't know how long it would take. I am still looking at how my starter works and what the long plastic tube on the nose of it is. Thanks again for the tips.