can I use marine grease in my 89 Cherokee starter. I tore it down for a cleaning. and was wondering if marine grease would be better. for those few water crossings ?
cheers.

 

A little bit of white lithium grease on the bushings at either end of the shaft, a touch under the sliding pinion gear, and perhaps a touch smeared around the solenoid plunger will be plenty - no need to use anything special.

It's not water that causes problems with starter motors - it's what's in the water that causes the trouble (just like with alternators.) You get grit and dirt suspended in the water, and it's going to crap things up. And no "waterproof lubricant" will help with that (sealing the starter motor will help, but that can't practically be done. The starter motor has to vent in order to cool off after use, it gets awfully hot.)

 

great info. thank you. .