vanguard eating starter gears

Originally Posted by Neverstopwheelie

Thats odd mine has steel gears on both is it backfiring when you start it or is it going out when you engage it

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

Can you post a pic of the worn starter gear?

Originally Posted by bajarebel1

no it does not backfire when I start it, after I put a new one on it works fine for a couple weeks to a month and then it eats the teeth off



I don't have any right now I will be pulling the starter next week toinstall another one and will try to get pics then. they basically look like a gear with all the teeth missing. I never had this problem when I had the stock cam, it started after I installed the 23hp cam. (do the 23hp cams have a compression release like the 18hp cam does?)

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

Yes, a stock 23 cam has the compression release mechanism. I don't believe this is a cam issue.
Are you sure the starter gear is dis-engaging after the starter is released? I have an aluminum ring gear with a plastic starter gear. No issues ever.
How long do you have to crank it before it starts?

Originally Posted by bajarebel1

I checked when I installed the last gear to make sure it was dis-engaging and it was, it generally starts right up, just bump the key and it cranks over and starts within 1 to 2 seconds. I also checked gear mesh and it looks good. I am baffled and frustrated, I am on my 5th starter gear since I put this motor together and it always strips out at the worst time. the motor is also pretty hard to pull start.

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

Briggs offers a heavy duty starter. They are about $125 used. If you have the aluminum ring gear, make sure you use a starter with the plastic gear.
Does the motor crank over slow? Also, make sure that there is no way for the starter to re-engage while the motor is running. These things don't just wear out that quickly. Most will outlast that life of the motor.

Originally Posted by bajarebel1

I don't think it is cranking over slow, it turns over pretty fast. where can you get a briggs H.D. starter with plastic gear. I replaced my original starter when it went out with one off ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STARTER-...item1c33114434 maybe thesegears are just cheap made?

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

You only need a HD starter if the motor is turning over slowly. Usually with higher compression mods, and no compression release.
If the gear is getting chewed up to the point that teeth are missing, I would think that either the gear is not dis-engaging, or is re-engaging after startup.