[Kjohan23]

We have a 318 at work for mowing around the office that recently got hard to start when hot and there's a loud clanging that sounds like the starter is not hitting the fly wheel correctly. This does this a bit when cold also. Any idea what's going on?

 

[chuckv]

Kevin,

Does the 318 have a B series engine or the newer P series? The older one uses a Bendix type starter and the newer is a solenoid shift type. Either can be a bit sensitive to low battery voltage at the starter solenoid (separate unit for the Bendix style) and that might be related to age/wear in the ignition switch. Addition of the 'starter improvement' relay kit can help quite a bit to give crisp engagement of the starter to the ring gear on the flywheel.

There have also been many cases reported on this forum of the mounting ears on the starter casting breaking, so inspect for a solid mounting of the starter to the engine.

If by "hard to start when hot" you are referring to the engine cranking but not firing, we need more details...

Chuck

 

[Kjohan23]

Thanks Chuck. The engine is a model p218 from 1992. I was wondering if it wasn't an issue in terms of not getting enough juice to the starter. As for the hot starting. I wonder if this is not a separate issue dealing with fuel delivery when hot. When I looked at the engine earlier I noticed not a lot of fuel in the filter and had read an earlier thread about this but I can't find that thread now. Does anyone recall that and does this sound possible?

 

[scubaprokid]

Kevin,
Check these posts:
http://www.wfmachines.com/discus/messages/335/200080.html
http://www.wfmachines.com/discus/messages/17/32358.html?1249850844
Hopefully this helps. If you have other questions, please let us know.