1997 Bayliner 5.7 Mercruiser won't start

[Ramanonos]

Hello, long time reader, first time poster... I just bought a 1997 Bayliner Ciera with a 5.7 Mercruiser last week. All was well and put about 15 hrs on her so far. Today however, I'm bobbing around with the engine off for about 45mins, and when I try to start her up, the ignition turns over like she's going to Stratton but fails. I was thinking maybe a dead battery but voltage looked fine. Tried a few more times, and it went from ignition trying to turn over to... now just a really bad sound ("gaughhh"). No longer trying to turn over. Turn key= grinding noise.

Any thoughts? Gear oil? Starter bad? Solenoid? Blown cylinder?

I had to get an expensive tow back to port, so I want to quickly find out if I bought a lemon.

Thanks in advance!

 

[John_S]

Re: 1997 Bayliner 5.7 Mercruiser won't start

Hello, long time reader, first time poster... I just bought a 1997 Bayliner Ciera with a 5.7 Mercruiser last week. All was well and put about 15 hrs on her so far. Today however, I'm bobbing around with the engine off for about 45mins, and when I try to start her up, the ignition turns over like she's going to Stratton but fails. I was thinking maybe a dead battery but voltage looked fine. Tried a few more times, and it went from ignition trying to turn over to... now just a really bad sound ("gaughhh"). No longer trying to turn over. Turn key= grinding noise.

Any thoughts? Gear oil? Starter bad? Solenoid? Blown cylinder?

I had to get an expensive tow back to port, so I want to quickly find out if I bought a lemon.

Thanks in advance!

Charge battery and take to auto store for load testing. Replace if bad.

Remove all plugs and turn over by hand, see if water in any cylinders. If any water found, put some oil in each cylinder and continue rotating. Water leak must be found. Most likely exhaust manifold or risers.

Inspect flywheel teeth for damage.

 

[Ramanonos]

Re: 1997 Bayliner 5.7 Mercruiser won't start

Thanks. I looked at the flywheel an it's missing a whole lotta teeth. Can I get away with just buying the ring gear or the entire flywheel package?

You comment about the manifold has me a bit worried now. Backstory: last week I melted both of my port side rider sleeves, with water spewing everywhere. My mechanic took off the riser manifold (said it was rusted clogged), cleaned it out, said it looked good, replaced both sleeves, and she purred like a kitten all week with good water flow. But now I'm worried about the gnawed flywheel teeth, and thinking maybe I have water in my cylinders and my whole engine is blown... Thoughts??*

 

[John_S]

Re: 1997 Bayliner 5.7 Mercruiser won't start

Sounds like water in the cylinders is a good possibility. As for engine damage, you will have to determine that. Take the plugs out, turn her over, and get some oil in the cylinders.