Strange Noise ...Starter???

[marvairplanes 34]

1985 310-8 speed, Kohler K241S engine

When I turn the key and the starter engages, I get this VERY LOUD, squealing, piercing noise.  Loud enough that the neighbors 2 houses away can hear it.

Noise lasts only a second or two, while the engine is turning over.

 It obviously is coming from the starter.

Question: Does the starter require any type of lubrication/maintenance?

[WH nut 553]

Not really, but if its that bad the bushings are worn out. You may be able to save it but doubtful

[dsholler 54]

Don't know about the specific starter on yours, but the one on my M14 does seem to need to be lubricated. This has happened twice now when snowblowing, I guess all that stuff flying got some water inside the housing, and caused the gear to bind up on the shaft.  I used some graphite powder and it slid much better. So lubricating the shaft may be necessary. However, it sounds like yours is the shaft itself, and I do not think you can get at that very easily, without taking the whole starter apart, in which case you might as well either just fix it right, or replace it.

[stevasaurus 22,700]

Marv...check out this thread from a few years ago...if you have the "High Mount" starter...this is what you have...    Easy to tear into and fix what is not right.

 

[953 nut 55,027]

My 312-8 has been doing that same thing for six years, I have a new starter (been on the shelf for five years) to replace it when it bites the dust.

 

[tunahead72 2,400]

My 312-8 has been doing that same thing for six years, I have a new starter (been on the shelf for five years) to replace it when it bites the dust.

 

 

Likewise my '86 310-8, for at least that long.  I ended up selling the new starter that I bought to replace it after I read the thread that Steve linked below.  It's a good one, and I'll tear mine down at some point after I can't hear "the voices" over the screeches from the starter.

 

In the meantime, it's fun to watch the mice scatter outside my shed when I start it.  I'm thinking of bringing it down to our place in Virginia to try to scare the snakes out of the barn.

 

Marv...check out this thread from a few years ago...if you have the "High Mount" starter...this is what you have...    Easy to tear into and fix what is not right.

 

[marvairplanes 34]

Bought a new starter (e-bay)...it arrived yesterday and it took all of 5 minutes to remove the 2 bolts and one electrical connection and install the new unit.

WOW !!!

Touch the starter key and it comes to life in a split second.

Marv

[diamondred 63]

Could it be that the gears are not fully engaged?

Edited October 29, 2014 by diamondred

[rmaynard 15,418]

Interesting subject. Had the same problem about 4 years ago, so I bought a new starter off eBay for a K-241. I knew it was going to be labeled "made in China", and when I got it, it was. But it was only $40.00 delivered. It has been working flawlessly since that time.

 

Fast forward to two years later. My neighbor wanted a new starter for his meticulously restored C-141. I told him about the $40.00 deal on eBay, but he said he wanted to get a genuine Kohler brand. He did, and it cost him close to $250.00. And what did it say on the side of his genuine Kohler box?

 

Product of China.

 

I think there is a moral to this story, but for the life of me I don't know what it is. 

[km3h 543]

Unless the starter is a total wreck, I always rebuild them. New paint, new brushes and new bushings and they are good as new and cost practically nothing in comparison to a new one.