2000 johnson bendix issues

[freezerfiller]

I have an issue with my starter. It never happens on the first crank, but if I do something stupid like forget to pump the bulb, or choke it initially, or choke it after its warm, aka starts longer than 6 or so seconds, the bendix disengages. If I try to restart immediately, the bendix won't engage, but if I wait 30 sec, it's fine. Whats weird to me, is that it always engages the first time, but after it has already engaged, it will release, and you will hear the spin of the starter motor without the bendix engaged. I have to believe this is a starter issue, but I thought I'd throw it out here for suggestions before I spend the coin on a new one....
I have replaced the ign sw (for other reasons), and the problem still exists.

[Simple Man]

If you dont hear any "gear-clashing" noise it almost has to be a problem with the bendix sticking I would think.

[freezerfiller]

It's pretty weird because anytime I've had an issue before, It wouldn't engage from the get go. Here it engages fine and then releases after a few seconds.