Sudden grinding while riding then wouldn't restart.

[MidgeP8]

The ski was running fine and I was just cruising and then there was a grinding so I shut her down and she wouldn't restart so I got towed back in. The starter was just clicking but then i got home and pulled the plugs and i can grab the coupler and it spins w/ no problem and the starter makes like a grinding noise when i press the start button. Any idea?

 

[Matt_E]

Either your flywheel key is sheared or the bendix stayed engaged to the flywheel.
I'd pull the flywheel cover and investigate.

 

[MidgeP8]

I just went out as soon as i finished typing it and hit the start button and it turned over... hooked the plugs back up and she started right up... do you think anything is messed up inside?

 

[Matt_E]

I would pull the flywheel cover to see what's going on. The problem didn't disappear. It will rear its ugly head again.

(Just like Gil!)

 

[MidgeP8]

Yea but if i pull the cover do i need a new gasket or could I just use the same one? I don't want to pull it and then not be able to take it out tomorrow.

 

[ncbrock]

If it turned over again, I think it was just a stuck bendix. Grease that puppy up

 

[MidgeP8]

Would the bendix just lock up when i was riding though? At first I thought I just sucked something up in the pump b/c the river was full of debri and .

 

[Matt_E]

If it happened once, it will happen again.
Fix it now or later.
With a little bit of luck, next time it will destroy flywheel and stator.

You can reseal the flywheel cover gasket with good gasket maker (though I would recommend a new gasket + 1211 sealant)

 

[MidgeP8]

Just pulled the flywheel cover and the flywheel is tight... I'm gonna grease up the bendix while im in there and close her up if there is nothing else that i should check?

 

[Matt_E]

Make sure the flywheel cover has a washer, spring, and another washer in the bendix bushing.

 

[MidgeP8]

Its all there... and the gasket on it looks really good so should i just get some 1211 and put it on there?

 

[Matt_E]

Good grease will do the trick, too.

 

[MidgeP8]

And do I need to put any oil in there and is there any special grease i should put on the bendix?

 

[Matt_E]

You don't have to.
I usually put a tiny bit of grease on the teeth of the bendix.

 

[MidgeP8]

I put it all together and it started acting up again... I think its something to do w/ the starter or bendix... everytime i hit the start button there is a spark from the positive battery terminal... any idea whats up w/ it?

 

[Matt_E]

Tighten down the cable.

 

[ryan]

you need to pull the bendix and inspect it good. most likely it will be bad. a lose batt cable wont make a grinding noise. that bendix will. if you just keep running it its going to cost you a starter,stator,flywheel. the gasket is the least of you troubles. .
theres 3 lil tab inside the bendix that hold the weights they like to snap off causing the weights to bunch up on one side. a small spring that comes off (looks like a spring from a seal) that is the 1st part to fail. you should find some small parts laying in the stator cover. but they can be stuck to the flywheel. (on the inside)

 

[MidgeP8]

Do i need to mark anything on the flywheel before i pull it so i goes in the same way or does it not matter?

 

[motorider200]

There is a key that lines it up. It can only go back in one way.

 

[ryan]

no just pull it off. (you need a flywheel puller)