Engine Not Turning Over

[tix99us]

Everyone,

I have a 1998 Mercruiser V8 5.7L Alpha.

My starter is turning but the engine won't turn over. It's like it's stuck. You can hear and see the starter trying but there is nothing coming from the engine. It's a brand new starter and the engine was working fine a week ago.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Welcome to iboats.....
You mean when you turn the key the starter engages but the engine won't spin at all?.....
If this is the case pull the sparkplugs & try again.....​

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

The reason for pulling the spark plugs is to check for water. But, if it's salt water in the cylinders and it has sat for a week, it may not turn over even with the plugs removed.

 

[tix99us]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Welcome to iboats.....
You mean when you turn the key the starter engages but the engine won't spin at all?.....
If this is the case pull the sparkplugs & try again.....​

That is exactly what is happening. I will pull the plugs in the morning and try again to see what happens.

I really appreciate everyone's help. I've lurked on the boards but never had to post before.

 

[WyeBlueStriper]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Welcome to iboats.....
You mean when you turn the key the starter engages but the engine won't spin at all?.....
If this is the case pull the sparkplugs & try again.....​

The motor will not turn over at all, like it is locked.
The short history is that the carb needed rebuilding. The boat sat for about three weeks between the time the carb came off and was replaced.
The motor started and idled perfectly with the new carb on it.
We shut down the motor as we cleaned up the tools.
When we went to start it again... grind.
Figuring the starter had given up, we got a new one and bolted it on.
Same thing, grind.
The bendix gear is hitting the flywheel, but not engaging, just grinding as the flywheel is not turning.
We cut or losses this morning and headed home to do some research
Hydrolock seems to be the leading candidate.
We will pull the plug and see what we see tomorrow am.


Appreciate any thoughts or ideas

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Please post back here with your results. Lots of us use these posts as a learning experience....

If it turns out that you have water in the cylinders....let us know what happened to allow that.

A friend of mine had that happen by stopping abruptly on the lake...the rush of water against the stern managed to back-flo through the exhaust.

Good luck, Chuck

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

I'm confused!
Is WyeBlueStriper and tix99us the same person

 

[WyeBlueStriper]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

His boat, my wrenches

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

His boat, my wrenches

Well then, welcome to iboats......

 

[wire2]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Will the flywheel move at all if you place a large slot screwdriver between 2 ring gear teeth and lever against the bell housing? Or put a socket on the crankshaft nut?

 

[WyeBlueStriper]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

Will the flywheel move at all if you place a large slot screwdriver between 2 ring gear teeth and lever against the bell housing? Or put a socket on the crankshaft nut?

Not sure
I did not have a large enough socket driver (ie breaker bar) to try and turn the crankshaft nut when we were on the boat this morning
The flywheel is tough to access and I don't really want to take that starter out again as it is a gymnastic event to get to it.

 

[tix99us]

** Update ** Engine Not Turning Over

** Update ** Engine Not Turning Over

Everyone,

We removed the plugs and found 3 to be wet and rusty.

Not good.

I took it to the shop and they confirmed the bad news. Water through out the cylinders.

The motor is dead and must be replaced.

It sucks - but again I want to thank you guys for your suggestions and a very educational forum.

Bill

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Engine Not Turning Over

.....Bummer....