New Starter Just Spins

[rockstarbob]

So I finally swapped out my starter after the last one which would spin and then grind and take forever before actually getting the boat to start. I inspected the flywheel and while there were some chips I didn?t see any major damage such as missing teeth. After getting the new one all set up I connected the power and it seemed to engage the flywheel just as it should. I brought my boat out, connected the muffs, and tried starting again. The first few attempts seemed good but on my last try it seemed to bind a bit. Now when I turn my ignition the starter just spins and it seems the bendix isn?t popping out to engage the flywheel.

I am going to pull the starter again to inspect it but does anyone have any clue why a new starter would all the sudden just spin and not engage they flywheel?

Thanks!

 

[boat1010]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Would help if we knew what motor. Inboard or outboard. Just give us a little more to work on.

 

[rockstarbob]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Its a Volve Penta 4.3GL-A I/O on a 2002 Larson SEI 190.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Did you replace just the starter and use the old solenoid, or did you replace both? Do you have the correct starter? Did the old starter have shims between it and the block?

 

[fishinpa]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

did you use a new starter , local rebuild ? could be just another bad starter,at least it appears to be now.
do you have full battery voltage ,all wires and connections tight and clean ?

did your old starter have any teeth damaged on it and where there any shims for the starter .

the chips you talk about when inspecting the flywheel ?
you found metal shavings ? saw spots where the old starter gear was grinding on the flywheel teeth?
did the old starter just quit working or what ?

may take the starter and have it checked , make sure you get a full charge in your batteries and check and clean connections .
look over that flywheel , turn engine by hand and see how much damage is really done to the flywheel.


fish

ahh skimmed over that part too quick !
the last one which would spin and then grind and take forever before actually getting the boat to start

sounds like you may have more damage to the flywheel from prev starter than you thought and have now run the new starter gear on the damaged flywheel !

 

[rockstarbob]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

The starter and solenoid are both new and freshly installed. I have another battery to test with so I will connect that to make sure thats not the issue. The old starter didnt have any shims when I pulled it out.

In regards to having the right starter, I ordered the starter that was recommended by the manufacturer but it was aftermarket. It engaged the flywheel as it should have the first few attempts, even so is it still possible I have the wrong starter?

Thanks and ill let you know what I find when I trouble shoot a bit further.

 

[fishinpa]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

well you say the starter just spins !
does it spin fast or sound sloooow and tired?

if spinning fast (maybe then ) the starter is engaging ,
just not making contact with the flywheel.
(you could have sections of the flywheel with more damage than other areas on the flywheel.)
in any case spinning the new starter on the old flywheel may do more damage too both.

you could turn the engine a little by hand and see if the starter does turn the engine then,if so your flywheel is for sure damaged.

 

[robert graham]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Is your bendix gear lubricated/freely moving up and down on the spiral cut shaft? Maybe a drop of oil there. Good Luck!

 

[rockstarbob]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Just thought about something I had forgotten! When I installed the new starter I thought it was odd but there was a small gap between the block and the starter the way that the screws lined up. I've replaced starters before but dont recall if thats normal or not?

Thanks!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

there was a small gap between the block and the starter the way that the screws lined up.

You're going to need to describe that a little better. If you are saying there is a gap after installing, then that is definitely not right.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Post a picture of what you are describing.

 

[mciaio]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Keep in mind, most engines stop in only two places. When you inspected the fly wheel on the one spot, you may have missed the bad spot on the other side. Make sense?

 

[fishinpa]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Just thought about something I had forgotten! When I installed the new starter I thought it was odd but there was a small gap between the block and the starter the way that the screws lined up. I've replaced starters before but dont recall if thats normal or not?

Thanks!

May have taken a better look to see what was wrong here before cranking the key !


fish

 

[q5ka]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

I have an antique tractor that does this. I just turn the motor over with the hand crank one compression cycle and it works like a champ. Just like what was said before, you may have more damage on a different part of the flywheel. Also, there should not be a gap. Either the location that the starter bolts to has damage or the starter is installed incorrectly which could explain the binding action you also spoke of.

 

[rockstarbob]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

First off, thanks for everyones help on this! On my previous post I mentioned that there was a small gap between the starter and the engine block which was making me think it was the wrong starter. I have some pictures attached showing what im talking about. Does anyone know if this is normal or if its something I should be concerned about?

Im going to try cranking the flywheel manually abit to test if thats the problem as it seems like a good idea ....

Thanks!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

I have never noticed a gap like that.....strange.
Almost looks like the aftermarket starter was drilled wrong.

 

[JustJason]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

If the gears not getting throw out then the starter solenoid is not doing it's job. Sounds like you have a defective one.

And no the gap doesn't look right either.

That's why I don't mess around with aftermarket starters...

 

[rockstarbob]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Just for the heck of it here is where I am at so far with this problem. After talking with the manufacturer of my Starter and checking the starter itself it seems the planetary gear are what failed. I'm not sure exactly how they work but I am going to send the starter back and get another one. Hopefully this one wont have the same issues.

Does anyone know how these planetary gears work or why they would fail persay if my compression was too high?

 

[fishinpa]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

Pull the starter , at times you can get a bad one / whether new or rebuilt!

pull the plugs and turn engine get a good look at the flywheel confirm condition of your ring gear before installing the new one .


fish

 

[coquitec]

Re: New Starter Just Spins

So I finally swapped out my starter after the last one which would spin and then grind and take forever before actually getting the boat to start. I inspected the flywheel and while there were some chips I didn?t see any major damage such as missing teeth. After getting the new one all set up I connected the power and it seemed to engage the flywheel just as it should. I brought my boat out, connected the muffs, and tried starting again. The first few attempts seemed good but on my last try it seemed to bind a bit. Now when I turn my ignition the starter just spins and it seems the bendix isn?t popping out to engage the flywheel.

I am going to pull the starter again to inspect it but does anyone have any clue why a new starter would all the sudden just spin and not engage they flywheel?

Thanks!