How to fix a Tecumseh starter that's not engaging

[@floobertuber]

Very nice video, thanks for posting it. Well done! The original starter on my 1980 Ariens ST824 finally died an utter and total death about four years ago. The windings were smoked, no brushes left, etc., so I replaced it with an eBay unit. Probably a not-so-awesome aftermarket unit. So here we are in 2023 now, and the new one isn't engaging. Sounds just like yours did. Not a particularly impressive initial run of reliability, but I'm guessing when I get in there the machining will look like it was done with a rusty router bit. Or, maybe I just got it wet somehow. We're in the dead of a typical, cold WI winter, and I don't feel like freezing my fingers off right now, so I've been pull-starting lately. But I will be yanking the motor off and checking all the stuff you did, come April. Thanks for showing all the details. These old machines are incredible. Except for certain secondary parts that simply wear out, they extremely well-made and damned hard to kill.

[@garypeterson1342]

Excellent video. Just the info I needed to see to fix the same thing on my snowblower. Thanks.

[@peopler2stupid165]

Oiling the surfaces of starter the gear and flywheel ring is not doing anything useful and if it’s on a mower or equipment running in a dirty environment it will simply build up dirt and crud that is detrimental to it working in the future. Lubing the spiral threads on the bendix shaft with a dry clean silicone lube is far better than just dumping oil all over everything.

[@PAUL4128]

Good job!

[@classiclistener01]

Awesome! :) Good for you, Man! You fixed/unstuck the freewheel and pinion gear drive assembly on your good-ole Trapper snowblower starter! :) As long as you take good care of old machinery, as you do, they'll take good care of you! :) A+ work and explanation, Bro! :)

[@michaelt1349]

Nice fix! What is that device on your right side handlebar that has the digits 0 1 2 3 in a circular pattern on it?

[@nyinfamous2k2]

Funny , mine is doing the opposite. the gear pushes out like its supposed to but wont retract. spring is good. i took it apart a bunch of times and cant figure out why it wont disengage.

[@dubmob151]

Isn't it the solenoid that pushes out the gear to engage the flywheel before applying power to the motor to turn it? It shouldn't spin at all before it engages the flywheel or it'd chew up the teeth every time you started. The spring retracts the gear when the power is removed, assisted by the engine spinning at high speed after it starts, to help push it back.

[@cavalryscout8720]

Hoping this same fix works for my riding mower.. same symptoms

[@garyt7830]

Soon you will need a NEW FLY WHEEL, start Looking for another

[@floobertuber]

Yeah, that was looking pretty rough. I have to run through the same drill on my Ariens come spring, and I'm really hoping it looks a little healthier than that. Mine was initially purchased in 1980, so it turned 43 years old this winter! Hence I'm sure its condition will reflect its age somewhat.

[@mugga5590]

​@@floobertuber8mm