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I have a Toro Timecutter MX5060, Kawasaki FR691V 23hp engine. When I start it after its set up awhile, say a week or so or longer, the starter makes a howling sound. It never fails to engage or start up but I'm thinking maybe a bearing or something is bad. Its been doing this for several seasons so its nothing new. I've just never bothered with it since it does start up. If I stop mowing for a water break, then go back to mowing it doesn't make the howl. I'm not a small engine mechanic but I can do some things; I'm wondering if I can take the starter off and see if I can see why the noise is there, buy parts and fix, or just ignore it, or just get a new starter. I've seen some on Amazon for about $40 but they all are made in China.

Pull it and lube it up, it's probably on it's last legs , starters are not very expensive , sounds like this one has given you about all it can .

Bertrrr said:

Pull it and lube it up, it's probably on it's last legs , starters are not very expensive , sounds like this one has given you about all it can .

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My starter on my Scag with Kohler Command is howling. 1900 hours with OEM starter, and probably on its last legs.

Bertrrr said:

Pull it and lube it up, it's probably on it's last legs , starters are not very expensive , sounds like this one has given you about all it can .

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Bert, any suggestions on where to buy one? Amazon and Ebay seem full of them but they're all made in China. But maybe local Toro dealers' starters are too. Who knows.

Several brands/makes/hp of engines use the same starter. I've got a lightly-used Kohler Courage 22hp starter on the shelf as a spare. Post the p/n and a photo of yours and if they're the same, I'll make you a heckuva deal.

jack vines

i have gotten several from amazon without problems

packardv8 said:

Several brands/makes/hp of engines use the same starter. I've got a lightly-used Kohler Courage 22hp starter on the shelf as a spare. Post the p/n and a photo of yours and if they're the same, I'll make you a heckuva deal.

jack vines

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Packardv8, I'm probably not much help but a photo is attached. I'm not totally sure but looking online.....I "think" the part # is 21163

Bertrrr said:

i have gotten several from amazon without problems

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Thats good to know. Thanks Bert. Now to try to figure out IF I can get the thing off without having to remove the body and gas tank area.

The numbers on this one:
1999-3140015
32 098 04

jack vines

packardv8 said:

The numbers on this one:
1999-3140015
32 098 04

jack vines

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I would think thats probably not going to work. Thanks.

Bertrrr said:

Pull it and lube it up, it's probably on it's last legs , starters are not very expensive , sounds like this one has given you about all it can .

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Before I buy a new one I think I will try to lube it before I go out and buy one. It looks like just two bolts holding it on; not too difficult. What part of the starter should I lube .... and, do you recommend a particular type lubricant?

When you have it off the machine You'll be able to tell what's worn visually I'd imagine, clamp it tight and apply 12 volts via jumper cables or some such , one end to the housing the other just touch off on the connector, it will / should spin like hell and tell you something, you don't need to hold it on the terminal , just hit it a few times and watch it spin up and listen.

Bertrrr said:

When you have it off the machine You'll be able to tell what's worn visually I'd imagine, clamp it tight and apply 12 volts via jumper cables or some such , one end to the housing the other just touch off on the connector, it will / should spin like hell and tell you something, you don't need to hold it on the terminal , just hit it a few times and watch it spin up and listen.

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I think its the gear that engages the flywheel. There was a whole lot of play in it.

If you can get it to drop down, spray clean and oil the shaft of the Bendix gear. It has to move up and down freely. You have to turn the gear for it to raise. The whirring sound should be the motor\gear spinning, but not rising up to the flywheel. My 2014 machine has been doing that the first time I turn the key for many years.

I love the way everyone evaluates a problem.....don't look at the condition, just replace it. Starters last a looooong time...brushes, commutators, and lubrication don't. I've rebuilt several that just needed the brushes replaced, commutator cleaned, and inside cleaned. Sparse lubrication is also necessary....these are not sealed units and dirt makes it's way in eventually.

jcworks said:

I think its the gear that engages the flywheel. There was a whole lot of play in it.

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Yes. It does. Supposed to have some "play".

RevB said:

Yes. It does. Supposed to have some "play".

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It has a good bit of play, more like a wobble than just a little slack. I put some white lithium grease on it. Its definitely quieter but still there some and I know that won't last.

RevB said:

I love the way everyone evaluates a problem.....don't look at the condition, just replace it. Starters last a looooong time...brushes, commutators, and lubrication don't. I've rebuilt several that just needed the brushes replaced, commutator cleaned, and inside cleaned. Sparse lubrication is also necessary....these are not sealed units and dirt makes it's way in eventually.

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I looked online and found a starter shop in Birmingham. I have not yet taken it to them; partly because it still starts the engine and partly because I would imagine them fixing the issue would probably cost as much as just buying one off Amazon......that is, the Chinese made ones....ughh.

Freddie21 said:

If you can get it to drop down, spray clean and oil the shaft of the Bendix gear. It has to move up and down freely. You have to turn the gear for it to raise. The whirring sound should be the motor\gear spinning, but not rising up to the flywheel. My 2014 machine has been doing that the first time I turn the key for many years.

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Freddie I did that; I mean applied some white lithium grease. Not a lot; I just dabbed some on with a Qtip and rubbed it around the shaft. The sound is not a whirring (like when a bendix is sticking) its a howling sound while it turns the engine over. Sometimes it doesn't make that "howl" at all; it'll just crank like its suppose to. I "think" its too much slack in the gear thats on the shaft. That howl is much less (but still there some) since I put the lithium grease on the shaft.

jcworks said:

Freddie I did that; I mean applied some white lithium grease. Not a lot; I just dabbed some on with a Qtip and rubbed it around the shaft. The sound is not a whirring (like when a bendix is sticking) its a howling sound while it turns the engine over. Sometimes it doesn't make that "howl" at all; it'll just crank like its suppose to. I "think" its too much slack in the gear thats on the shaft. That howl is much less (but still there some) since I put the lithium grease on the shaft.

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Bet these are plain oilite bearings that are running dry initially when cold until they warm up and exude what remaining oil there is. Could be wrong, tho. In which case oil would be a better bet. Oilite is a sintered metal that is oil impregnated at the factory....but it's not permanent.

jcworks said:

I looked online and found a starter shop in Birmingham. I have not yet taken it to them; partly because it still starts the engine and partly because I would imagine them fixing the issue would probably cost as much as just buying one off Amazon......that is, the Chinese made ones....ughh.

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These are so simple to work on.....two long screws hold the whole thing together. If you decide to take it apart just take a permanent marker and draw a line down the case from one end to the other on just one side.... makes reassembly easier. It's not rocket science....bet you can do this, but it's always up to you. The black case holds the permanent magnet, the two end caps are just the bearings that support the shaft and the end cap with the electrical connections house the brushes (carbon blocks, actually) as well. If you decide to do this let us know....