312-8 starter won't engage

[kougar31 0]

I'm a newbie to this wheel horse world so first off, thanks for any advice/assistance you give me.  I have a 312-8 with a 12HP kohler and the starter will spin but won't engage the flywheel.  Do I need a new starter or is there something else I can do?

 

 

[KC9KAS 4,741]

@kougar31 

The starter drive on the starter may be dirty and not extending into/onto the flywheel when the starter spins.

Or, maybe the teeth are worn off the starter drive and not engaging.

Disconnect the battery, remove the cable from the starter and remove the starter and see what the starter drive looks like and go from there.

[953 nut 55,538]

      to        Good advice from KC9KAS, but first make sure the starter mounting bolts are good and tight; if they have backed out a little the Bendix will fail to engage the ring gear.

Hope it is a simple repair and please keep us posted.

[Jerry77 1,218]

Had the same problem with a 314-8 years ago...after several failures at keeping it going, I slicked the shaft with white lube...not a problem after that..KC9KAS hit it on the head.....one more thought - when you take the starter off, be careful not to let it come apart - has brushes and it is a bear to get back together...have some scotch tape handy and put a band of it around at the top...it will only grab a very small slice of the top, but is amazingly strong..it will hold it together...good luck

[stevasaurus 22,811]

You may have the "High Mount Starter" on your horse...not sure...if you do, this thread may help you a bunch.  If you do not, it will still help you a lot. 

 

 

[sluggo 40]

I just beat the crap outa my starter with rubber mallet until it behaves.

 

Maybe that's why I am never allowed to sit at the cool Wheel Horse table. 

[kougar31 0]

Thanks for the input gents.  I pulled it apart and wiped it down and put it back together and it didn't work at all after that.  So I asked my brother in law to take a look nad he pulled it apart and cleaned it up and it put it back together and it works like a champ.  Not sure what I did but I know he got it working cause it cranks right up every time now.

[953 nut 55,538]

10 hours ago, kougar31 said:

my brother in law to take a look

            Wish my brother in law could fix things for me.