3.0 starter problem.

[dave 7 0]

Hi guys. I'm having some starter problems on my 3.0 mercruiser. With a fully charged battery(brand new) the engine will turn over a few times then start dragging. i can start the engine once easily. If i shut it off after a half a min or so and try to start it again the engine turns slowly and will barley turn over. I cleaned all the connections and while i was found what is in the picture below. Can someone fill me in as to what it is? Also any tips on what starter to get ? I've seen them for as little as 50 bucks to a few hundred. How important is the marine coating? Thanks guys y'all have been a huge help to this new boat owner.

 

[alldodge]

The item in the pic is the 90amp fuse. the fuse is used to protect the battery if the alternator shorts out.

So far as the starter, you need one which is marine certified. Marine means its ignition protected and has nothing to do with coatings

 

[dave 7 0]

Thanks allDodge. The starters im looking at are marine starters. As for the coating, There are marine starters with the coating and without. Is it worth the extra $$ to get the coated or is the coating just a coat of epoxy paint?

 

[alldodge]

Don't know which ones your looking at, but would say if your in fresh water then you don't need it. If your in salt water then maybe, but depends on what the coating is

 

[dave 7 0]

Thanks. For the price difference I think I’ll just get the uncoated and paint it.

 

[dave 7 0]

i have another question for you guys. When i pulled the starter off there is a bracket that bolts from the rear of the starter to the engine block. Right where that bracket bolts to the starter there is a S/S hose clamp clamped around the starter. Any idea what that is for? It looks original but see no reason for it to be there. Anyone else change the starter on their 3.0 and have a hose clamp on the starter? Also What is the purpose of the bracket? With such a small starter i doubt if it needs support on the end of it.

 

[alldodge]

Most of the 3L motors did have support brackets, and still do today. The link below shows the support bracket and its one of the latest models. The hose clamp tells me that the starter may not have been a marine type. Not posative of that point but all others do not use a hose clamp.

That said I don't see where you mentioned what year your motor is

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30916/13809/10

 

[dave 7 0]

Thanks for the quick response Alldodge!! The bracket on mine does the same thing and mounts to the starter on the same bolt its just shaped a little different. my 3L is a 89 Or rather the boat is an 89.

 

[alldodge]

This is your year, and does not show the clamp but maybe Bondo or Bt Doctur might have a better answer

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30912/963/10

 

[Bondo]

Anyone else change the starter on their 3.0 and have a hose clamp on the starter?

Nope,...... Never,......

 

[dave 7 0]

Ok thanks guys. It must have been something the previous owner rigged up.