2000 F50 TLRY Starter won't engage flywheel

[Rescue31]

Basically what's happening is that when I turn the key, the starter is spinning but the the gear on top of the starter (the bendix) isn't coming up and engaging the flywheel. I just ran the boat the other day and there was no hint of this happening. My experience with starters is that they gradually start crapping out until you can't get them to engage anymore.

Anyway, I've looked online and seen the starters priced from $78.00 to close to $500.00. I'm an aircraft mechanic so I could fix it if I new what to replace. Anyone have any ideas? What causes the gear to raise up and engage? Are the brushes worn and the motor isn't spinning fast enough?

Thanks for your help.

[Livinlinelife]

Make shore your battery is good and charged, sometimes if you don't have enough crancing amps the starter won't spin fast enough to force the bendix out to engage the flywheel, could also be a bad connection. I would try that before buying a new starter.

[robert graham]

Check the bendix gear...a drop of oil may free it up on it's spiral shaft...

[Rescue31]

Brand new battery. Just bought it today because I figured that was the problem. It has been a problem recently anyway because it wouldn't hold a charge. I'll try some oil on the spiral shaft tomorrow. It would be nice if that is all it is. Thanks guys. If it works, I'll report back.

[Livinlinelife]

May try and lift it manually to see if it's stuck and use oil to free it. It's a little tuff but I can lift mine with my fingers.
I would disconnect the battery first to be safe, you don't want your fingers in there if the key gets bumped. I personally have a 4 year old girl who likes to HELP daddy!
The safe way is the best way.

[99yam40]

be careful with the oil, if it gets into the clutch inside Bendix it will cause it to slip instead of turning flywheel if you can get it to get that far

[rodbolt17]

its an inertia drive.
typically the symptoms your describing are a lack of current at the starter.
typically its a weak battery or a connection or a cable.
a quick voltage drop test can isolate it.