My XIO-390-A3B6 came from Lycoming with a SkyTec 149-12LS starter, S/N F2L-341501 (I think that means 34th production week of 2015 on day 1). It failed when I was away from my home drome with 43 hours on the Hobbs. The starter spun, but the solenoid stuck so the starter gear could not push forward to engage the ring gear behind the prop.
Here I am on the ramp gently tapping the starter (image from GoPro Hero 6 attached to canopy) so I could get home. The
following week, a call to SkyTech confirmed my suspicion of a stuck
solenoid and set in motion a RMA request. Three weeks later, I had a
new starter.
A search of VAF found that a stuck solenoid is not an unusual problem with SkyTec. Many folks carry a spare solenoid and it turns out that one from a late model Ford Crown Victoria fits the bill. I found that a BorgWarner BWD S5613 is identical in shape and size and fits the SkyTec 149-12LS. The BWD S5613 can be found for $27+shipping.
I now carry an extra solenoid in my parts and tool bag that always rides with the plane. Replacement in the field would be easy: Two hex cap screws then two nuts. Incidentally, that tool bag came in mighty handy. You can see some of its contents on the left wing in the image above. Here's a list, with photos, of what my tool bag is composed of.
If the replacement starter suffers from a similar issue, I will investigate trying a B&C starter instead. It might be a challenge to get it to fit around the snorkel.
To remove the starter, I took off the snorkel.
When I changed my oil for the second time, I found that the starter had released a significant
amount of grease from its housing onto the snorkel. SkyTech assured me
this release of the packing grease was normal. Here is the broken starter showing where the grease came from.
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