I have a 2010 110 Elite that has 4500 miles. (Yes, 4500 not 45,000)

Every once in a while, the starter will not engage, spins but doesn't engage the flywheel (or whatever it is supposed to hit). After 4-5 times trying it will eventually engage and away I go. About a month ago we were at a rally and it stayed outside and the temp got down to 44 degrees in the morn and I thought it wasn't going to start! Finally, after about 20 trys, it engaged. For the rest of the day it did good, of course the weather warmed up nicely.

Any thoughts?

 

I haven't had one of these apart but if it's always when it is cold out it may be a lack of grease where needed or someone put the wrong grease in and it is too stiff for correct operation.

 

Thanks dbuzz for the thought, I'm actually leaning that way too. I've have a Hustler mower (been kinda a POS so far) that had a similar starting issue and all it needed was a shot of lube down the starter shaft. That thing had less than 200 hrs on it.