skytec Starter problems

[Alan Fox]

I have put in skytechs with old planes that had bad cables , and they still started unbelievably... I think you have a bad battery..... How old is the battery??? 

[butchgilbert]

Just my $.02, I would bet that the solenoid you have installed is dead or dying.  My solenoid was acting up and not putting enough juice to engage the starter (makes a lot of noise and no rotation).  When I changed the solenoid, no problems either cold or hot for years.  Worth checking out, solenoids are not that expensive.

[bronzburg1]

Question, will the 149-NL install without mods? Straight out replacement?

[bronzburg1]

Never mind, I bought one and put it in. Straight out no mod replacement. Works great.

[SkyPilot]

Quote: Steve65E-NC

Suggest you call Skytec directly.  I did when my Prestolite crashed ane I was trying to select a new starter.  the owner was very helpful.  I put the NL in and I am very satisfied so far.  It appears to have solved a long standing "hot start" problem.

[DaV8or]

So I've been having starter problems recently and it's the reason I never made it to Kerrville. Sypmtoms were like a dead or weak battery. In a desperate attempt to get to Kerrville anyways, I bought a new battery. No luck. After some testing with a local on field A&P, we came to the conclusion that it was most likey the starter solenoid, because it got to the point that it would click, but the starter would do nothing. With the starter off the plane and connected to a battery, it spun up just fine, so I ordered a new solenoid from LASAR. I then went on vacation to the Carribean and now I'm back. I installed the solenoid and now the starter at least engages again, but won't turn the motor over. This time, since the cowl is off, I could see smoke coming up from the front of the plane.

Now, I had checked the logs before and the logs, as well as the invoice for the Sky Tec starter, said I had a 149-NL. Low and behold, when took the starter off and looked at it's data plate, it says- 149 12LS! I was thinking of getting this one rebuilt, but now it seems I should just chuck it. I'm going to call Sky Tec today.

[DaV8or]

Spoke to Sky Tec this morning-

149 LS vs. 149 NL

LS is cheaper to buy and to have rebuilt, lighter by 1.2 lbs, spins faster (easier starting as long as you have the current).

NL requires less current, has higher torque, is built better with all ball bearings.

Both are exceptable on the IO360

And here's a little tid bit- engine oil on the starter can ruin the starter. This is most likely a contributor to mine's demise. I have an oil leak somewhere and when I removed the starter, the back of it was pretty wet with oil. What happens is, the oil softens and disolves the brushes in the motor. Apperently, this is true of all starters including the OEM ones. Why they can't make them oil tight is beyond me.

Sent mine off this afternoon to Sky Tec. They turn them around the same day. They give you a call after they bench test yours and tell you what's up with it. Then you can choose how much or how little you want done. A total rebuild to new specs on the LS is $165. The NL is $200. I'll see what they say, but I'll likely change to the NL for $200.

[DaV8or]

Quote: nosky2high

This has been an informative thread, does this discussion apply to the M20C O360A1D? From what I'm reading (I'll call skytec tomorrow to confirm) I'm strongly leaning towards upgrading to the 12vt 149NL and have my factory starter rebuilt and have on the shelf as a backup.

[DaV8or]

So, I spoke to Sky Tec yesterday and they told me that my starter was so bad that they wouldn't even rebuild it. 100% scrap. Lots of oil inside, shot brushes, corrosion on the armature, dead solenoid, old style shaft splines, etc. The good news is, they have a policy of turning around starters the same day. I opted to change to the NL starter and so it cost me $35 extra ($200 total) They said that it would ship that day and that if they didn't have a rebuilt one on the shelf, they would send me a new one at the rebuild price! Now, that is customer service!

[DaV8or]

Installed my new starter at rebuilt price ($200) last Wednesday. She starts again! Can't recommend Sky Tec enough! They really stand behind their product.

[carusoam]

Dave,

That is great news.  Have you stemmed the oil tide that was bothering the old starter?

Best regards,

-a-

[DaV8or]

Quote: carusoam

Dave,

That is great news.  Have you stemmed the oil tide that was bothering the old starter?

Best regards,

-a-

[pjsny78]

I don’t know if this helps at all, but I purchased the Skytec 149NL/EC about 2 months ago as a replacement for a Kelly starter. I am not that mechanically inclined but it is such a difference. The Kelly one would take a few cycles to start at times and sound terrible. The new one starts the first time every time and has a much different sound to it. I think it is a huge upgrade and I am very happy with it.