606 starter issue - on first try only....?
 

Two different starters, one cheapo one from Flea Bay and then my old Bosch core rebuilt by a local pro. Usually ONLY on the first try, the helix doesnt engage the flywheel, it sort of crunches and then spins free. On 2nd or sometimes 3rd try , it engages properly and fires. ???

Before I put the car on ramps and take a gander, what the heck ought I be looking for?> tia...... I hate R&R starters without effect! This ol 606 fires instantly as well. Great compression, and glow system.

Consult your pro?

Double check your work, make sure the bolts hold starter in place are secure and check that electrical connections are clean and tight. If nothing found / no change, then pull the starter and inspect the mounting hole to make sure it hasn't been fouled by anything that is causing a starter / flywheel alignment problem.

Last thing would be that both starters have weak solenoids.

I have seen this issue quite a few times and almost everytime it was grease in the solenoid or on the helix on the drive pinion, both cause this behaviour, a good cleaning takes care of this.

Solenoid. Pull it off and make sure they didn't pack it full of grease!

Thank you folks. I'll pull it and clean it.

BTW, there are no pros.

This is what I was referring to, the shop that rebuilt your starter. They should be experts in diagnosing your current problem.

Well, no grease. The "pros" I use dont grease the solenoid they said. It's back to them. They tried to find a new bendix but can only find one 5mm longer. I have a core we may be able to cannabalize.

Flywheel looks fine, isnt chewed, and isnt loose in any way. the "pros"and I are sort of dumbfounded. I've shimmed a few Chevy starters to make them engage properly. There's no shimming this one.

BTW, the issue isnt on cold starts anymore. Its all the time. The bendix sounds like it hits the flywheel, grinds a bit and then freewheels. Yet, the pros tell me it doesnt feel like a weak bendix, which are usually really obvious. Damn enigmas.