To start off with, I know very little about boat motors. I've got an 88 Skeeter with a 78 150 Evinrude. Tried to crank it today & seemed difficult wanting to spin over. Tried to start it several times but with no luck. Pulled the cowling to see what I could notice that looked different. I noticed the starter is staying engaged with the flywheel. Starter gear would not come back down. I take it that this isn't normal??? If I understand it right, starter gear should pop up spins flywheel & drop back down out of way. Since starter gear is staying engaged, does this mean that starter motor has gone bad? If so, what kind of price am I looking at replacing it? Thanks for any input?

Start with the Battery cables. Make sure they are in good condition and tight. Make sure the battery is in good condition as well. If those are good, you probably need to get the starter re-built. You can go to any starter re-build shop, or most marine dealers. The bindex (?) should disengage when the motor starts, but may not if it doesn't spin fast enough. Mine does it some times.

When we get into cooler weather, normally that is when we see battery problems show up. Marine battery`s can throw you a curve. They can charge up but still not have enough cranking amps and the only way to tell is to change the battery. Boosting wo`nt even work sometimes. Have seen the older models that you pre-mix. The fuel evaporates leaving a thick oil residue in the lower cylinders that can almost lock the motor down. After all that said, you can take your starter off and have it tested at most auto parts stores. Good Luck

Before spending any money when was the last time you lubricated the shaft above and below the drive gear? I was having starter problems and was using WD-40. When the cold weather hit, the problems were worse. A friend recommended the CRC white grease in the aerosol can. I used that and have never looked back.

If you need a new starter search the internet. The difference between what the local guy wanted and what I could get the identical starter for was close to $100.00. They're are not that hard to install yourself.

I had the opposite problem, gear wouldn't spin up and did the same with the CRC and never had a problem again.

If you need a starter I have one that may work. It is off a 60hp Evinrude and is the same starter as my 115hp.

we can I get CRC?

Thanx in advance Mavs

Any auto parts store should have it. Home depot type stores also.

Thanks for all of the info. I will start with the CRC & go from there.

i had the same prob as huckleberry. a little hot sauce did the trick

Forgot this when I made the first post. Somehow the starter may have shifted in the bracket or if it was removed for access to do other work it may not have been re-installed correctly-over torqued or set at a slight angle. It may be engaging to deeply in the flywheel or at a slight angle both of which will not allow it to spin back down. If it works fine on the bench, I would also consider this. If is engaging to deeply it will just need to be shimmed out a very tiny bit. Also examine the flywheel teeth when the starter is removed. A new starter can be chewed up real fast if that is the problem.

I use a couple drops 3 in 1 oil on the starter gear shaft ever once in a while...too much can drip down into the motor & short it out.

what makes the bendix engage is inertia - its on a threaded shaft - when the starter motor suddenly starts spinning, the shaft turns under the bendix causing it to jump up......when the engine starts, the flywheel spins faster than the starter motor, it screws itself back down.

if the oil don't help, disconnect, clean and reconnect all the cabling from battery to solenoid to starter...take sandpaper to it if you have to...make 'em shine.

The starter drive gear will stay engaged with the flywheel if the motor does not start. This is normal.