Starter for Ovation IO 550g

[M20R]

Currently what is the best recommended starter for the IO 550? Several years ago I replace the original Iska starter with a new Hartzell MRB-7000. The other day the engine would not start. I could hear the starter solenoid engaging but no movement of the starter. I removed the starter and checked to see if it was seized, but it turned freely. Thinking the starter may have a dead spot I reinstalled it. The starter then worked normally.  But now I don't trust this starter. Hartzell no longer makes the MRB-7000. So my options are to buy a new starter or have this one overhauled.  I checked on prices on new starters and I can't believe they want over 4 grand.

[exM20K]

Welcome to Hartzell’s new, improved (for them) pricing. I was advised by a director of maintenance I trust that, pricing notwithstanding, O/H is the wiser path as they have seen more than a few cases of infant mortality in the new Hartzell units.  
 

People wonder how engines cost so much now…. A $4000 starter, $4000 alternator, a couple of $10,000 turbos and an exhaust system start to spin the big numbers on the total.

-dan

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, M20R said:

Currently what is the best recommended starter for the IO 550? Several years ago I replace the original Iska starter with a new Hartzell MRB-7000. The other day the engine would not start. I could hear the starter solenoid engaging but no movement of the starter. I removed the starter and checked to see if it was seized, but it turned freely. Thinking the starter may have a dead spot I reinstalled it. The starter then worked normally.  But now I don't trust this starter. Hartzell no longer makes the MRB-7000. So my options are to buy a new starter or have this one overhauled.  I checked on prices on new starters and I can't believe they want over 4 grand.

You didn't mention if you did a complete troubleshoot to verify that it is not an intermittent/weak solenoid issue and that it is actually the starter.

 

This has a typical step by step troubleshoot procedure.  Each step has a drop down

Aircraft Starter Performance Issues | Sky-Tec

 

 

[LANCECASPER]

19 hours ago, M20R said:

Currently what is the best recommended starter for the IO 550? Several years ago I replace the original Iska starter with a new Hartzell MRB-7000. The other day the engine would not start. I could hear the starter solenoid engaging but no movement of the starter. I removed the starter and checked to see if it was seized, but it turned freely. Thinking the starter may have a dead spot I reinstalled it. The starter then worked normally.  But now I don't trust this starter. Hartzell no longer makes the MRB-7000. So my options are to buy a new starter or have this one overhauled.  I checked on prices on new starters and I can't believe they want over 4 grand.

To protect the starter adapter you want the heavier Energizer starter (#646275). The other lightweight starters have some kickback and take out the adapter.

Your symptoms could very well be the adapter, on its way out, needing to be rebuilt. 

[StevenL757]

17 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

To protect the starter adapter you want the heavier Energizer starter (#646275). The other lightweight starters have some kickback and take out the adapter.

Your symptoms could very well be the adapter, on its way out, needing to be rebuilt. 

This…..^^

Exactly this.

[Mufflerbearing]

I just installed a slightly used IO550N from the IO550G.  The new engine had the skytrack lightweight starter which is new but with the advice from the crew here, I decided to keep my heavy energizer starter and when it finally fails one day, will rebuild it. 

I do have a slightly used lightweight starter I could sell....