Mercruiser Starter Test!

[BigDog98]

So today i decided to start my boat that had bin sitting for almost a year now and also was full of ice during the winter months. A few people told me that i would def need to replace the starter since it was sitting in ice for a few months! Now i go to start it and all i hear is the starter kinda run and then dies down from cranking it for too long. Tried testing it with a volt meter but was not successful because it started to throw sparks at me for some reason. I dont really know if my starter is bad bit it kinda makes like a noise that it is spinning but the belt and everything else does not move. I made sure the batteries were fully charged and also threw in a new battery and same issue. I started to attempt to pull the starter off but striped out the bolt and waiting on my turbo sockets. By the way is the turbo socket any good? I hope it will help me remove the bolt because its really rusted and its in there real good. As far as i know there are only 2 bolts that need to be removed to get that starter out. The engine is a mercruiser 5.7. Anyway can i say for sure its the starter? I mean i hear a noise coming from the starter but not the same as when it worked before. Any advice would help a lot. Already ordered a new starter anyway.

 

[Maclin]

There is a component in the starter that throws the pinion gear out to engage the flywheel ring gear. It is commonly referred to as the "Bendix" or "Solenoid". . If that compnent does not get a full dose of current then it cannot thro the pinion gear out. Also there could be a mechanical problem with that component that does not allow the movement. If the starter spins but does not engage the flywheel ring gear then that component is not getting enough current or it has failed in one way or another. It is integral to the starter but can be fixed or replaced separate from the starter rebuild.

I would just get the starter off (pretty sure it is just those 2 bolts plus wiring) and take it to a rebuild shop.

Have you tried to turn the engine by hand? It would be good to try that now, first take all the spark plugs out, hopefully no water comes out of those holes.

 

[bruceb58]

I believe we told you last year that you were going to have to take the starter off because it was submerged.

 

[BigDog98]

I believe we told you last year that you were going to have to take the starter off because it was submerged.

Correct! That is why i was just making sure before spending the money on a new one. just needed you guys to add icing in the cake so i get the balls to buy a new one. just for verification purposes.