engine seems locked up, but wasn't

[Gene575]

95 xp, 720, used it one day, next day went out to start it, and it was locked up. My buddy had hit the starter, screwing around, about an hour before.Thought the worsed, wasn't pump, pulled plugs, if anything was running on the rich side. Put a pliers on the flywheel, couldn't budge it. Got a pipe wrench, and it broke loose. Then I could spin it, no problem. What was the problem. Runs fine now. I'm worried about it being dependable now.

[toddsky]

starter was probably hung bendix? you should try and rotate motor backward next time before you brake out the wrench!

[Gene575]

I did that, with a pliers tried to move it both directions. It was stuck solid. So....should I be taking the mag cover off, and starter off for a look see? I've got a big weekend on the water, and have other ski's to work on too. If this happens once in a while, I'm ok with it, just have never had it happen before.

[Technical Support]

I think it's safe to say you have some type of lower end problem - don't be surpised if it blows soon, if you run it more. I would tear it all down for inspection and plan on a rebuild soon.

[toddsky]

it probably just hung up because your buddy just touched the start buton and it did not turn over just got stuck! if it hapens again pull starter first before you free up motor that way you can tell ifts the starter! most likley its not your pistons ive stuck plenty and never had one run again for **** !

[Technical Support]

If it was the starter hung up, it would have reracted by turning the engine backwards a bit.

[toddsky]

dag support you go straight for trouble dont you? i was trying to keep his spirits up!

[Gene575]

that's what I didn't want to hear! This crank is about a year old. I've run it since, on a garden hose, sounds great, no noises. Pulled the plugs since and spun it over by hand, and feels very smooth. What exactly would cause that in the bottom end? It didn't happen, after normal use. It happened after a buddy was fiddling the starter button,and bumping the starter. He said he wanted to hear it run, but didn't have the tether on, then he stuck the tether on, and ran it for a few seconds,and shut it off. After that, this happened.

[toddsky]

now that you explain it a little more it does not sound all that good!on the bright side most of the summer is gone!

[Technical Support]

At the VERY least pull the front cover off and inspect all the starter and flywheel teeth. It's possible at least that one or more broke and it was jammed...but I'll still bet on something internal.

[Gene575]

I'll be in the garage, back in 30....

[stevepaulus]

Mine did the same exact thing, and it was a combination of a faulty starter motor and screwed up bendix gear.

BTW, it's hotter than heck out west, i want my ski darnit.....lol

[Gene575]

I emailed a pic in, looks like the starter drive is coming apart. No teeth missing, on either gear, but the spring washer (internal in starter drive) looks like it's off,and probably shot. Not happy, but not depressed either. [img]smile.gif[/img]



[ August 07, 2003, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: Technical Support ]

[stevepaulus]

sounds stupid.....

But shake the starter and see if crap is moving around inside.

I shook mine back and forth and you could see and hear the bedix shaft was mucked up.

[ August 07, 2003, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: stevepaulus ]

[Technical Support]

Your spring looks fine. I see a bit of debris but the teeth look good. Feel around the inside edge of the flywheel for flat spots. Check to make sure the ring gear isn't sliding back on the flywheel hub also - you should have a ring gear width of space to the edge of the hub.