Starter question for those who can help.....my son has a C-150M. Occasionally when he tries to start the engine, it just grinds and no prop turn ...tries it again and starts normal. Does not always do this, normally first start of the day is when it happens. I replaced the starter and still doing the same thing. All teeth and gears appear normal. Any suggestions of what might be causing this is appreciated.

Rick

It almost sounds like it's not getting enough juice. My first guess would be the battery, especially if it's more than 5 years old. Do you have a meter that you can put across the battery buss while it's cranking? As a point of reference, my battery drops to about 10.5V when cranking my high-compression engine. My second guess would be the interconnecting wiring. Loose terminal somewhere? Good luck!

battery is brand new Concorde....can recheck the connections, but literally put the new starter on yesterday...connections were tight, but can go back upstream. Don't know as much about cessna as I do on the mighty Beech. thx

I checked the concorde battery chart....I recently installed an RG-25 which has 225 cold cranking amps. The RG-25XC has 350 Cold cranking amps. Will that/Could that cause the issue possibly? Rl

I still advise checking the voltage. You sound like you know what you are doing and I don't want to insult your intelligence, but did you charge the new battery before installation?

P.S. FWIW, my starter draws about 400 amps.

It’s the starter clutch. It’s a sprag clutch. If you can come up with the springs and a knowledgeable helper you can disassemble it and replace the broken spring. In my experience they start breaking springs when the shaft is worn beyond limits. The repair usually only lasts about 50 hours tops. There used to be a place that rebuilt them but I don’t think it was an approved facility. Not sure whether they are even still around. I’m guessing a new clutch is a grand, give or take, but I couldn’t find a price when I searched.

Robert

yep put it on the Battery minder charger for a Concorde prior to install, that was a few months ago, starter is new rebuilt by Jimmie at Modified Aircraft.....just installed....first start fine....second got the grind.....But thinking about this issue, it started after I installed the new battery..starter problem that is. Im gonna install the old battery and check its cranking amps. I have a feeling its the new battery with less Cranking amps....will call Jimmie tomorrow to discuss. Put the new battery in only because we could not find any documentation in the logbook on when my old battery was installed, so being proactive bought the new one, but should have got the higher cranking amp Battery I think....I hate taking off that cowl!!

You’re not listening. If the starter turns and the prop doesn’t it’s the clutch. Common issue with the key start O-200.

Robert

Im listening....just would be rare for an old starter and a brand new starter to have the same issue. Sure it's possible.... Only since I installed the new battery did I start having starter issues. Easy to swap Batteries and see what happens...

I'm just trying to learn here. Is the clutch not part of the starter, which was replaced?

No worries. When you replaced the starter did you also replace the clutch? I didn’t read close enough and assumed you just rebuilt the electric starter The clutch sits in front of the electric starter and I guess I assume when replacing or overhauling a starter that doesn’t usually include the clutch.

Robert

you are correct....I just replaced the electric starter....I assumed the clutch is inside the electric starter and not inside on top of the engine where it bolts on. If the clutch is on the inside of the engine, then its above my pay grade for fixing and ill have to get my mechanic to replace if possible....thx for the info.

That’s the way I took your original comment. Ask your mechanic but I’m guessing the clutch wasn’t changed. The grinding is the sprags slipping on the shaft. The bad news is the best solution might be changing to a modern starter like the skytec or B&C. I think the clutch for original starter is expensive but maybe someone here has a good source. Please keep us posted as it’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with this issue and I’m curious about current options.

Robert

I'm just trying to learn here. Is the clutch not part of the starter, which was replaced?

Of course they are. You wouldn't expect Cessna to make it as one component would you?

Dave