Onan MCCK 4.0 genset starter question

[speakrdude]

I have the Onan MCCK 4.0 Genset out of a Sea Ray 300 Weekend I am working on and ran into a question.
The bendix on the starter has a spring that keeps it "engaged" to the flywheel teeth. The bendix moves freely and wants to return to the flywheel position instead of vice-versa like I would think.

Does this sound right to anyone with more experience on these?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tbirdvet]

The Bendix system places the starter drive pinion on a helical drive spring. When the starter motor begins turning, the inertia of the drive pinion assembly causes it to wind the spring forcing the length of the spring to change and engage with the ring gear. When the engine starts, backdrive from the ring gear causes the drive pinion to exceed the rotative speed of the starter, at which point the drive pinion is forced back and out of mesh with the ring gear. The starter gear should be free from the flywheel (no contact) once the gen. is started

 

[speakrdude]

So it is not operating correctly. I suspect the PO may have reassembled incorrectly, but according to the parts manual, don't see how it is possible to screw up. Will have to investigate.
Thanks John