Mag 20 starter doesn't engage ring gear
 

About 3 yrs. ago I posted about having this problem. Since then, I've had the starter rebuilt and it works great. I just found out a couple weeks ago that in cold weather the lube on the bendix gets stiff and it just spins without engaging the ring gear. I can fiddle with it a while a get it to work, but spray lube doesn't seem to help much.

So, today I took the side panel off and gave the starter about a 30 sec. blast from a heat gun on a medium setting. It isn't hot enough to melt wiring or the foam on the blower housing. What a difference! It started just like it was summer time. If you are having this trouble, it might be worth a try. I know it's treating the symptom and not the problem, but for the couple times I may start it this winter, it beats pulling the starter in this weather.

I think I'm going to pull the starter in warmer weather, clean the lube off the bendix and try some other form of lube that shouldn't gum up in cold weather. It will probably be graphite powder, as suggested by someone on my other post.