1811 Starter clean/removal
 

I have an 1811 with a Kohler M18. My starter needs cleaning but how can I remove it without pulling the engine? (The Kohler manual says it should be done as preventive mainenance annually!) Alternatively, any advice on how to clean gunk off without having to remove the starter from the engine?
Many thanks,
Bob

I did it on my 1810, took an old 7/16 wrench and cut it in half. With a little luck and some small fingers you can get the bolts loose and pull the starter out. You have to remove the engine shroud to. My incentive was not wanting to pull the engine either.

Don't be afraid to pull the engine. It is no where near the daunting task you think it is.

AJ

I have an 1811 too and the starter began to spin but not crank the engine over.
I just removed the left side sheet metal from the engine and with a long thin screw driver was able to pull the Bendix gear back towards the rear and pressure wash it off after a turn or two of the starter. I then sprayed it with WD 40 and that was a year ago with no further trouble. I really don't know what there is to clean other than the gear. It is a sealed motor with pre-lubed bearings with no oil holes. :beerchug:

Matt G has a great idea on this subject. Tried it on my 1712 and 782 and it works great. Purchase a 7/16 wrench that is a cheapy so it can be heated and bent is almost a 90 to 45 degree and take your lower nut off.

My starter was spinning also. I took off the panels to get some limited access to the starter and cleaned it with carb cleaner. It has started just fine over the past week. Thanks for the replies.

It worked well for a week or so, but now the starter is spinning again and not engaging the wheel. I'm concerned about using WD-40 attracting dirt even though it has worked well for inspectorudy. I'll try some Teflon lubricant for bicycle chains if I can get in close enough to apply it, otherwise I'll use a silicone spray. I'm also going to pick up a cheap 7/16" wrench and doctor or cut it as referred to above.

Starter lube
 

I had to pull the spring loaded gear cover back with a long thin screw driver and then power washed the whole thing as well as I could. I then used WD-40 with the red tube to get up and into the cover as well as the spring and gear. Like I said that was over a year ago and we have very dusty conditions here. I also power wash my tractor after ever use but not the starter. I raise the hood and spray down each side panel as well as the area behind the gas tank and down into the steering unit area. I do this before the rest of the mower and you won't believe how much crap comes out each time. :beerchug:

WD-40 will eventually gunk it up again, particularly if it gets cold. My dad has a zero-turn with an M18 that we had no choice but to shoot some WD-40 down into that area to keep the mower working until the end of the season because the engine has to be removed to remove the starter in that machine, and it is not an easy task. Anyway, for whatever reason we didn't ever pull the engine, and it seemed like roughly a year later it was gunked up again.

The same company that makes PB Blaster also makes a dry lubricant. There is a guy here who rebuilds starters, generators, etc., and he uses this. He says it drys but still leaves a waxy film as a lubricant. It will not attract or retain dirt and dust. I think it can be purchased at Lowes.