Im stumped can anyone help

[gm2swsmith]

Im stumped can anyone help

I have a 77 Wellcraft 20'. It has a 84 Mercrusier I/O engine. My Trouble is that when I go to start it it wont start. New batteries, new starter. When i had the starter off I tried to move the flywheel and I think I found the problem it wont move.( Its in neutral). Does anybody know why this might be. Any help or advice would be extremely appreciated.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

If the flywheel won't move then the engine is locked up. Usually due to water seeping back into the cylinders via a leaking manifold. Pull the sparkplugs and see which ones have rust on them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Either the engine or the drive is locked up.<br />Pull the drive and see which one turns.

 

[gm2swsmith]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

If the engine is locked up will it be neccessary to rebuild it? What should I do?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Better yet, pull the cap off the top of the outdrive. It uses a 3/8" 12 point socket. If the drive is locked, you'll see why inside.

 

[Don S]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

If the engine is locked up will it be neccessary to rebuild it? What should I do?

Finding out WHY it is locked up is your next step, it may not even be rebuildable.

 

[gm2swsmith]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

What should I do to find out why it is locked.It ran perfectly about a month ago. However it had stalled out and had to get towed in by the coast gaurd. Then went to test it before takeing it out and ran in to this problem.

 

[trog100]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

"However it had stalled out"..<br /><br />how did it stall out.. ???<br /><br />trog100

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

You need to give us more info : When you say that you tried to move the flywheel.....with what ?<br />You said that it won't start....does that mean that it won't crank ? (cranking is the engine turning over.....starting is the engine running).<br />If the engine and or drive is locked, and your new battery and starter are tried...you will hear a clunk, you may even feel this clunk, yet nothing else. On the other end of the spectrum, you might turn the key and hear a faint click......please tell us more.

 

[Don S]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Remove the head to start with.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Next question,what's a head, & how do I remove it? Heh, heh, heh.

 

[Don S]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

If that is the answer, then it's time for him to take it to a marine mechanic. He does not have the abilities to fix or even diagnose the problem.

 

[gm2swsmith]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

I tried to move the Fly wheel with a screw driver, because thats the only thing you can fit in the opening where the starter slides in. It wont crank, hence the fly wheel not moving. When you turn the key you can hear the starter wanting to turn the flywheel but it doesn't move. I appreciate everyone's help thus far, sea wolf if your going to help great if not please keep your ridiculous comments to your self Thats what this forum is for asking for help

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

GM, the details of your breakdown will provide clues as to why your motor/leg has locked up. Start from the beginning and include anything that may help, for instance - did it overheat, did it throw a belt, low on oil, clanking noises just before it stopped etc, etc........<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Don S]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

gm2<br />You need to pull the drive and check which one won't turn. Untill you do that, it's a guessing game. Since none of us are there to look, touch, turn, and twist things, it's totally impossible to even guess what the problem is. Just because it locks up doesn't mean there is only one thing that can cause that problem, there are many.<br />What you have to do is narrow down the options.<br />The first thing to do is pull the drive and see if the engine or the drive is locked up.<br />If it's the engine, pull the head.<br />If it's the drive locked up, order a new drive.

 

[mlslocks]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Pull the plugs. Make sure it's not hydrolocked.

 

[outboardguy]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

As a general rule If the drive is locked up the starter will engage and the engine will turn a little bit and then be brought back to its original position by the rubber in the engine coupler. If the engine does not move at all it points more at the engine.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Re: Im stumped can anyone help

Pull the drive, if it still won't turn, pull the engine. In my opinion, there is very little you will be able to actually repair (when an engine is locked up) with the engine still in the boat.