Starter troubles or worse

[Diverwing19]

Hi I have a 94 Larsen 24.5 with a 305 Mercruiser motor. Early this summer I had to replace the starter because it was shot. So i think. The new starter has been in about 3 months and now it won't start the boat. It will turn the motor for about 2 or 3 seconds then just whine!! I took it off and everything in side (bendix) seem to be free and the shaft is nice and lubed. I put it back on and now it tries to start for about a second and then just whines. The boat had sat for about 2 weeks because I was gone and when I tried to start it this is my current situation. Please help!!!

 

[Thad]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Based on your description, it sounds like it is the fly wheel.

You will have to remove the starter and feel the teeth. Turn the motor and keep feeling. It will be a long and tedious task, but if you have broken teeth, that would explain the whinning. The starter turns until it gets to a section of missing teeth and there is nothing there to turn. Or they could be severly worn. Either way, the fly wheel needs replaced.

I see a winter project in your near future.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Or the clutch gear in your bendex is slipping? Or the arm that pushes the pinion gear forward is just strong enough to push it forward, but not strong enough to keep it there once it engages the fly wheel?

The way you describe it, seems like you would need a few bad sections of your fly wheel to get that problem - since it engaged after you removed/re-installed the starter, then did the same thing. That just seems unlikely to me...I'm going with a starter that went bad....or low battery that isn't strong enough to keep the pinion gear engaged?

A similar thing just happened to me - except my 2 month old starter stopped engaging the flywheel at all. I sent mine back and am waiting for a replacement..

This thread has a link to a cool video on youtube about how starters work:

What pushes starter pinion gear out?
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352374

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Were there any shims on the old starter or was it bolted right to the housing without any. Back in the day I had a GTO that would eat starters and do the same thing you describe, wasn't until I got it shimmed just right that it worked as it should. May not be the case with yours but is a thought, might also explain worn flywheel teeth as the previous poster mentioned. Bench test the starter and make sure it is working well. Could also remove the plugs and see how it performs with no compression against it.

 

[Thad]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Or the clutch gear in your bendex is slipping? Or the arm that pushes the pinion gear forward is just strong enough to push it forward, but not strong enough to keep it there once it engages the fly wheel?

The way you describe it, seems like you would need a few bad sections of your fly wheel to get that problem - since it engaged after you removed/re-installed the starter, then did the same thing. That just seems unlikely to me...I'm going with a starter that went bad....or low battery that isn't strong enough to keep the pinion gear engaged?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352374

I can see that, but two starters within a couple months doing the same thing? ( I imagine the same thing) The fly wheel could have worn teeth just enough that a new starter can grab, but eventually wears on the starter gear to let it slip.

Something is definately going on, could be something more like somethings.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

I can see that, but two starters within a couple months doing the same thing? ( I imagine the same thing) The fly wheel could have worn teeth just enough that a new starter can grab, but eventually wears on the starter gear to let it slip.

Something is definately going on, could be something more like somethings.

Good point...I was assuming that the original starter was replaced for a different reason.

In my case, the pinion gear in my 2 month-old starter wasn't engaging at all. When I called tech-support at the starter's manufacturer, I was just calling to get some ideas of things to try (fly wheel, voltage reading at the solenoid, lube the bendex shaft?, etc). The tech guy just said something along the lines of "yea...new starters sometimes break like that early on. Just send it back and we'll send you a new one." I did check my flywheel (teeth look fine, as far as I can tell), and my battery and connections are all good. So...I sent it back last week.

Since I sent it back, I have seen 2 other posts from forum members whose 2-3 month old starter motor has had the same, or very similar problem.

So...it is definitely possible that the new starter simply broke...but, I also have to admit that I may be jumping to that diagnosis a little quickly based on my current situation..

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Thanks, I was hoping you guys wouldn't say flywheel!!!! I was thinking (hopefully) it could be something else because it started fine up until it sat for awhile? Tomorrow I am going to pull off the starter, check the and check the flywheel. Any chance it could be water locking it up? Thanks everyone

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

sidechoke I just read your comment. I will take the starter off if the flywheel looks cool and go back to the boat place with it. i am sure they can test it or see something wrong with it Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Or the clutch gear in your bendex is slipping

Never seen a clutch gear in a starter.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

No problem!

I am a novice boat mechanic at best...Definitely listen to the other posters' comments too. Always lots of good advice on this forum.

What were the symptoms with your original starter - the one you replaced earlier this year?

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

I had just gotten the boat from my dad who barely used it. I tried starting it and same thing couple clunks and nothing. I took the starter off and apart and the brush holders were cracked and pretty much everything was worn and in ruff shape. I picked up the new starter put it in and everything was fine since may. It started first time around and has till I didn't use it for a little over a week. That's when this problem started?

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

There were no shims in the old starter. It was bolted right to the housing.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Any chance the starter got wet at all?

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

The first one yes, but I put in an automatic bilge with the new starter. Will moisture affect it that bad because their is like an inch of water in the bilge that the pump can;t get?

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

Never seen a clutch gear in a starter.

I'm sure I'm messing up the terms...

The way I understand it, the bendex has a one-way clutch in it so when the boat starts the pinion gear can free spin, and the fly-wheel won't cause the armiture to over-rev. There is a gear in there that can get messed up - so the bendex may still move forward, the pinion gear would engage the fly wheel, but the pinion gear itself wouldn't spin. Not sure of the exact terminology...but that is the gear I meant...

 

[Diverwing19]

Re: Starter troubles or worse

I get ya I am watching that video on you tube Thanks!!