My 07 Rincon is really noisy at the gear area of the starter when starting. It seams to be getting worse. Has anybody had any problems with the starter clutch, torque limiter or other related parts? I took the starter off and spun it over with the switch button and it is quiet and works fine. The gears inside the housing look good and rotate OK by hand. It starts fine but is noisy. What could be making the noise? Is it normal? It sounds like the normal sound that you here when you spin the starter but louder and it seems to continue for a bit after you let off of the button.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not aware of any known problems with Rincon starters, and mine doesn't make any funky noises when starting.

Is the machine still under warranty?

 

It is out of warranty. It is the normal whining noise that you here from the starter when cranking but has gotten louder. Looking at the manual and it looks like something in the front engine case where the torque limiter is located. I am going to take it to the Honda shop and let them listen to it. I'm hoping that it is normal.

 

Yeah, kind of hard to diagnose w/o hearing or seeing it.

If it's gotten significantly louder, though, I'd think that would be a sign that something not normal is going on.

Maybe one of the experts here will chime in shortly.