Is my bendix about to grenade?

[superjetincairns]

ive been trying diagnose a tuning problem with my superjet after a recent engine rebuild so I've been using the starter quite frequently. Every so often the starter spins but the bendix doesn't seem to engage with the flywheel. Is it normal to get this every now and then? I inspected the bendix when it was out of the engine and everything appeared normal, rotated in and out freely and had no signs of corrosion on it.

 

[All stock 701]

It is possible that the spring in your bendix is getting weak and doesn't have much time left.

It is also possible that the brass bushing in your cases is worn, and your bendix does not always engage with the starter.

I would take the front cover off and find the problem before it becomes catastrophic.

 

[yamabro]

Had the same problem occur a few different times. Def check for a bad bushing or failing bendix.

1) one instance was a week starter not spinning the bendix fast enough.
2) a bad ground to starter making it spin weak

 

[LMnsr]

I thought my bendix was stuck this week since my engine wouldn't turn when I try to start it. Ended up frying my starter ground wire. (fried my stator ground wire also awhile back). Well it came down to me opening my ebox and somehow water got in and one of my starter relay connectors was completely corroded and my stator ground connector also.. soo I ended up replacing the connectors and made a new ground wire and fixed it. so maybe check all your ground connectors on your stator/starter/ebox.. I'd go for the ebox/starter first so you dont have to pull out your flywheel for nothing.

If your bendix looks better than mine its probably not that haha

this is the damage:
starter ground
ebox corrosion
stator ground connector in ebox

 

[Magnum Mike]

For a few seasons my bendix would occasionally do that. I then had some slow cranking problems and realized I needed new battery cables. The same bendix engages every time I hit the green button now.