Help!! Starter Problem

[Tom from Mi.]

Was out plowing all morning and noticed tractor was getting hot so finished up and headed in. Once in the yard I parked by the faucet and my son popped the rad cap, coolant was a bit low so he took the hose and topped off the radiator and noticed alot of straw and leaves stuck to the radiator. He asked if he should wash those off,I said sure just stay away from the the engine. Went to move the tractor 10 min. later and a loud squealing noise was coming from?? alt? I thought the belt, so turned it off. Went to restart and the starter just spins?? So now I'm hoping someone's BTDT and could give me some suggestions as to where to begin or likly causes. I have no problems tearing into things if I know where I'm going.
Thanks in advance.....Tom

 

[old]

Starter drive may have got stuck on the flywheel and thats the noise you heard then it may have popped off the end of the starter

 

[Tom N MS]

If starter is spinning but engine is not spinning, you most likely have lost the bendix inside. If this is what you mean by " starter just spins" then I'd remove the starter and see if the bendix has dropped off inside. Caution..pull the starter back just far enough to geyt two nuts on the bolts. This holds the starter guts together and prevents major aggravation. Most say leave the old bendix inside and just install another one. I recently installed the new style bendix on my 2N and it works great. I think everyone would recommend going to the new style.

 

[Tom N MS]

If starter is spinning but engine is not spinning, you most likely have lost the bendix inside. If this is what you mean by " starter just spins" then I'd remove the starter and see if the bendix has dropped off inside. Caution..pull the starter back just far enough to geyt two nuts on the bolts. This holds the starter guts together and prevents major aggravation. Most say leave the old bendix inside and just install another one. I recently installed the new style bendix on my 2N and it works great. I think everyone would recommend going to the new style.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

What model tractor? 2N, 9N, 8N, NAA???


Topping off the radiator of an N is not a good idea. You only need enough coolant to cover the core; any more & it will just boil out.

If the starter spins & does not engage, you have worn teeth on the ring gear or the bendix is defective. Depending on the model of tractor, you can look through the timing mark hole & check the ring gear. If the ring gear is ok, you will need to pull the starter to check the bendix.

To remove the starter, unscrew the bolts out of the block & put a nut on one of them. Otherwise, the starter comes apart. Not fatal, but not fun either. Then, loosen the two bolts holding the oil filter canister to the block, remove the dipstick, and keep the starter close to the block while pushing the front of it down and lifting the back up. Sometimes you have to remove the drain petcock as well.The bendix is behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel.

To install the starter, keep it close to the block while pulling the front of it up and pushing the bendix back into the hole. The bendix has to go behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel. Grinding out an egg shape at the 2 o'clock position before you put it back will make your life easier.

Lastly, while the starter is off, polish the block & starter mating surfaces w/ sandpaper to insure a good electrical ground between the two, and clean the mating surfaces where the starter's "belly" meets the aluminum endbell. The starter's ground circuit is through that "joint" as well was through the starter endbell-to-flywheel housing joint.
50 Tips

 

[Tom from Mi.]

Sorry everyone, was it such a hurry did'nt think of telling you what I need help with. It's a 51 N and is a plowing fool until today!
Tom

 

[gahorN]

(quoted from post at 15:47:50 08/11/07) If starter is spinning but engine is not spinning, you most likely have lost the bendix inside. If this is what you mean by " starter just spins" then I'd remove the starter and see if the bendix has dropped off inside. Caution..pull the starter back just far enough to geyt two nuts on the bolts. This holds the starter guts together and prevents major aggravation. Most say leave the old bendix inside and just install another one. I recently installed the new style bendix on my 2N and it works great. I think everyone would recommend going to the new style.

Not me. I have had nothing but trouble with the latest chinese "bendix" with the fine threads. Installed the old Bendix on the new 12V chinese starter 4 years ago and not a single problem since.