Starters

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Nick2024

Well-Known Member
Has anyone changed a MHB6016 light weight starter to the new X-Drive models being sold to replace the MHB model? On a C-172SP? My starter broke and I am trying to buy a new one but all I see new are the X-drive version which is a superceded version. Just would like to know if I have to cut my front firewall at all?


Thanks
 
No experience with the x-drive starters, but if it's PMAd to replace the MHB on your airplane it should just plug and play. Don't know why you'd think you need to cut the firewall, the starter on the 172 should be way on the front of the engine far from the firewall.

That said, what is wrong with the current starter? 9 times out of 10 in my experience the bendix fails which is a pretty easy replacement, and a lot cheaper than a new starter.
 
Never tried the X-drive but I can vouch for the Sky-Tec NL extended cranking starter. We had problems with the plain vanilla NL series on a Penn Yan 172 but once they swapped it out for an extended cranking one all was good.

We did have to modify the baffle for it just a bit but one nice thing about it is no more having to remove the baffle to change it.
 
Second the Skytec. The kick back pin is a nice feature and easy to replace.
 
Sorry I meant to say the baffle. Story goes tried starting the engine cold morning. It stuck and didnt spin the prop. Stopped trying the start. waited a few then tried again and it just spun with no engagment. I myself have never torn a starter apart. Most of my experience is on Turbine helos. So I would not know where to start with tear down of starter. I do agree if I can get a bendix repaired that would be the way to go for sure!
 
Nick2024 said:
Sorry I meant to say the baffle. Story goes tried starting the engine cold morning. It stuck and didnt spin the prop. Stopped trying the start. waited a few then tried again and it just spun with no engagment. I myself have never torn a starter apart. Most of my experience is on Turbine helos. So I would not know where to start with tear down of starter. I do agree if I can get a bendix repaired that would be the way to go for sure!
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Yeah your bendix is either broken or stuck. Try shooting some silicone spray lube (silicone only, LPS or another oil will gum it up) on the starter bendix (the little gear thing on the front of the starter). If you're lucky, that'll do the trick for a while. If not, you probably just need a new bendix. This linky has a breakdown and parts listing for your starter. It looks like the part number you need is probably an EBB-75A.
http://www.hartzellenginetech.com/application_charts/Starter/Lightweight_MHB.pdf
To replace the bendix, just pull the 4 bolts that hold the nose section on the starter, then you can get the shaft with the bendix drive off. The bendix is held in by a pin, it's a little tricky to get out as you have to compress part of the drive assembly and start tapping the pin out with a punch. If you google you might be able to come up with a how to guide that will give you better detail.
 
Thanks for the info. I am looking at the new X-drive start that spruce is selling for the MHB-6016. I think it will work since there is space from the siloniode to the front of the start that the baffle should be not a issue. I will have to send the core if to get my cash back , but would like to reman my next starter. What are the requirments if I wanted to replace all the required replacement parts in the starter. Where can I can a manual for a Ref?
 
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