PierceM20F

Will do. I didn’t have too much trouble getting those bolts off. I have a plan for putting everything back together now that I know where everything is at.

Okay all, so I called sky tec technical support and after about a half hour, we determined that this particular starter was experience a known design defect of some sorts causing it to not engage the ring gear. It was manufactured in 2009 and I guess that year/design does in fact have a Bendix. I honestly can’t describe exactly why it was failing but the tech rep knew exactly what it was and is having me exchange the unit. Something with loose bolts/nuts inside the unit. Let’s just say, removing the lower cowl was not a pleasant time but I got it done. Also, sky tec technical support is fantastic. Hopefully will be back flying by the end of the week.

Okay this is what I’ve got. A sky tec. But I also took pics of the starter from what I can see. It does look quite dirty. I was reading on Mooney space someone else had similar issue and sprayed a dry lubricant silicone in this area. Thoughts?

I'm starting to have the same issue on my starter (I think). How/where do you apply this silicone to the bendix after every flight? I can see the gear that would connect to the ring for the prop but the rest of the starter is inside of the starter assembly. Maybe you could stick a small tube like WD40 can has and stick it further inside the assembly? Newer guy here so I apologize for not having the correct words for parts...

Yup, I think this is what is going on. Hopefully this isn’t too big of a deal…I’ll be at the hangar tomorrow and begin to take a look at this. I’ll report back any findings. Thank you all!

I believe I have a solenoid actuated starter? Sorry, I’m still learning all of this as I go. I believe the solenoid is on the firewall there on the right side. Shiny silver color. Which I believe means I don’t have a Bendix drive? At the same time though, the charging up noise would make sense regarding the starter spinning and then finally engaging. Something must be sticking somewhere!

Okay, I flew yesterday and made sure to twist first, then push in. I tried taking a video but of course the prop didn't act like what I described. Instead, something else happened. I had just landed to get gas and then start it up again. 1. Twisted key 2. SOS started with the buzzing noise 3. I pushed in 4. After pushing in, something sounded like it was "charging up" and prop did not spin at all. 5. After maybe 1-2 seconds of this "charging up" noise, the prop was almost "jolted" (it wasn't violent) into a strong starting rotation. 6. Of course it was a little finicky on getting started because engine was hot etc. BUT each time I tried starting it, I heard this "charging up" noise (not to be confused with the SOS buzzing) and the prop wouldn't rotating until that charge up noise was at its max or maybe some level of power was reached before engaging into the prop. Anyway, I got the engine started and after the charging noise, the rotation was very very strong. If you were watching from outside the plane, you would say there were zero issues with any starting at all. From the inside, I feel like maybe I've been operating the starting switch improperly all this time...assuming this charging up noise is normal.

Okay, before I go down a rabbit hole, I will go verify that it’s not ME that is the problem. Twist then push! Be back with updates in a few days. Thanks all.

I’ve been pushing and twisting at the same time. Maybe it’s something as simple as needing to push in harder and then twist. I think the starter solenoid is easily accessed with the cowling off…

That makes sense on the shower of sparks. The buzz only sound lasts for a half to 1 second or so until the prop starts spinning. Maybe it's my ignition switch? I'll grab a video next time I fly.

Hi all, recently I've noticed that my skytec starter doesn't engage to the starter ring right away (or so I think). I push the key and assembly in and turn clock wise against the spring (like I always have done for over a year) and I'll hear a buzzing noise for a split second or so, THEN the prop moves slightly, stop, then begin spinning like it normally does. When it spins like normal, I would consider it a strong spinning start. It's just that initial turn over. Once the prop gets spinning like normal, the engine starting is not an issue. Takes maybe 3-4 turns and it fires up. Basically, it seems like there isn't enough power to get the prop to start spinning, but then magically the power appears after a second or two of struggling. Condor battery from 2019. Any thoughts? Maybe I don't have an issue? Just different than normal.

Hi all, ever since I started downloading the new nav data from the fly garmin website (since becoming instrument rated), I will occasionally get an "Aviation database integrity error" right when the unit is started up. I will cycle the avionics switch and then it goes away and all is well. Right after I cycle the avionics switch, the 430 will show a different screen than on initial start up (a white computer text), then jumps to the "Garmin" logo. Any ideas what my problem could be? Once I cycle the avionics switch and the unit turns on successfully, I don't have any other issues throughout the flight. And like I mentioned, this only happens sometimes during start up.

I had a mechanic take a look and in his opinion it was overgreased. He said to just watch it and if it gets worse, re-evaluate. Time will tell!

I can confirm that changing the intake seal, and adding nut/retightening the exhaust manifold has solved the popping issue! Was a very quick and inexpensive fix.

That's what I used to get it to where it is now as far as tightness goes on one side. The other side can only be tightened by socket and it's tight as well but I would guess slightly less tight than the other side of the manifold.