Mercury Starter Question

[Air Dog]

Quick Question...

1989 Mercury 200 hp Carb motor. 250 hours or so since new. Original Starter.

Last year, the starter began to miss every other time I hit the key. Electrically it would engage everytime, however instead of the familiar clunk and throuty engine cranking sound it would just go ZZZZZZZZIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG. I would have to keep trying to make it catch.

I am guessing that the teeth on the bendix are worn. WHen I manually twist the gear up the shaft and lock it into the flywheel it works.

Is there a quick fix here? Do I need a new Bendix? Someone recommended spraying carb cleaner on the shaft. WOuld this do anything?

I need divine intervention from the engine GODs...

[mcollinstn]

Clean and grease the Bendix.
Best to remove it for a good cleaning (the nut on top).

If it hasn't been doing it long, the teeth will be ok.

[Air Dog]

Thanks Mcollinstn,

Any particular kind of grease you recommend?

Since I got you on the line, can I put anykind of lower unit oil in my gearcase or do you recommend only Mercury Hi Power stuff?