[johndeere]

Well I have discovered problem #1 the starter is acting up.It runs but does not engadge the fly wheel.At first this was something that when you simply just returned the key it would go.But now nothing just will not engadge.Its hard to get to but I did take engine side shroud off and can see the gear and fly wheel.I blew that area out with compressed air.Not something that can be removed easily and have been told you must remove engine to replace starter!Oh no not that!

Is there away to clean it up a bit maybe lube some how to get it to kick in?I have alway heard do not use oil or penetrating fluid around a starter?

Any suggestions.Oh and the battery is fully charged I checked that first.

 

[mikeemc]

Sounds like the bendix cluch is gone out if it spins. have you looked at the gear sometines that gets chewed up and it's a fairly easy fix and cheep to. As far as I know no you don't have to remove the engine to repair it.

 

[Stash]

What year is your 318? Later models had a solenoid rather than a Bendix-style starter. The solenoid units can accept a starter booser kit from Deere that helps a great deal in delivering needed voltage to ensure positive starts.

 

[mikeemc]

Thanks for bringing that up Stash , I forgot the newer ones were selenoid type , brain fart lol

 

[Rcardo292]

If you do need to pull the motor if its like my 314 it was less than 30 minutes to remove the sheet metal and drive shaft/wires /throttle choke ect.
Mine has K321 kohler

One more thing if its a Kohler have a friend help ya its over 100 lbs

 

[saleen49]

Well I have discovered problem #1 the starter is acting up.It runs but does not engadge the fly wheel.At first this was something that when you simply just returned the key it would go.But now nothing just will not engadge.Its hard to get to but I did take engine side shroud off and can see the gear and fly wheel.I blew that area out with compressed air.Not something that can be removed easily and have been told you must remove engine to replace starter!Oh no not that!

Is there away to clean it up a bit maybe lube some how to get it to kick in?I have alway heard do not use oil or penetrating fluid around a starter?

Any suggestions.Oh and the battery is fully charged I checked that first.

I was able to drip some oil down onto my starter gear through the intake air hole that leads into the aircleaner. The starter gear sticks to the worm gear. Problem was solved for quite some time. I found that pulling the engine on a 318 is a big job.

 

[johndeere]

I was able to free it up and so far so good.It was just froze.Ithink.I removed the side panel and the tin shroud on the head that side.By doing so I was able to get a little oil on it and could get my finger in there to spin it around a bit and free it up.I was afraid to get to much oil around it however.If it happens again in the future I think I will try a little graphite?Also blowing the area out with compressed air should have help also.