New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

[$20boat]

I just won a 2001 Larson with Volvo Penta 4.3 in a raffle. Being a newbie, i forgot to put the plug in and got water in the engine compartment. Now the engine will crank, but it will not run. Using the great info available on this forum i traced the problem thru the electrical system and found the following:

no fuel in carb while cranking
all relays and fuses good
post on starter that feeds the relay to power the fuel pump is reading 8V during cranking. Water probably got into starter, but what caused the 8V on the starter post feeding the circuit? And what do i have to do to fix this?

thanks,

 

[cvsa78]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

Did the battery get swamped? Was it fresh or saltwater. I know that if you swamp a boat the the battery gets covered with water it actually shorts it's self. That could be why you only have 8v. Try another battery and clean all connections.

Good luck

 

[cr2k]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

Once the starter gets water in it, it is a matter of when, not if, it will go bad.

The internal parts of the starter are un-protected metal and will rust and cause the starter to drag on the housing.

Suggest taking it to a rebuilder. DO NOT replace with a less expensive automotive starter. Basically the same unit, but marine unit is sealed to prevent ignition of fuel vapors. This is why they cost more as there is a little more liability involved. Also being sealed they last a little longer in a damp (not flooded) environment.

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

Once the starter gets water in it, it is a matter of when, not if, it will go bad.

The internal parts of the starter are un-protected metal and will rust and cause the starter to drag on the housing.

+1 on this. My starter was flooded during a plug incident. I got it apart, dried out, and back together... but the solenoid has been sticking a bit and will need more attention.

 

[Don S]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

post on starter that feeds the relay to power the fuel pump is reading 8V during cranking.

You have a Volvo, that post does not control the fuel pump.
What is the full Model number of your engine, need the letter or letters after the 4.3GL. Or even the 10 digit SN will do.
I can then post the wiring diagram and show you what to check.

 

[$20boat]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

it's a gray engine, 4.3GLPEFS, serial # 4012040755

 

[witenite0560]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

My bet is the 8v is because you've got a dirty connection somewhere. Probably got wet and allowed some corrosion to start. Clean every connection that got wet and you'll probably get full voltage. As for the starter, if it was freshwater, and it's only been a day or two, take it apart and spray it good with WD-40. The WD-40 will displace water. Then wipe it down with a clean towel. You want a good coating of WD-40 to remain on it to inhibit corrosion, but you don't want it dripping off of it. Put a drop of 30w oil on bushings, bearings and pivot points. If it has the type of solenoid that you can take apart and inspect, do so. Make sure the solenoid plunger doesn't have any rust on it. If it does, clean it up with a wire brush and emory cloth. Then, wipe it down with a rag and some 30w oil. Again, you don't want it dripping, just an even film when you reassemble it.
If you do all that, reassemble the starter and it should work fine and last a long time. If you want, you can take it to an auto parts store and have it tested after you reassemble it, too.

 

[Don S]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

Here are the manuals for the EF model engines.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/14518190/c08a758e/EFsharing.html

Just take your starter to your local alternator and starter shop and have it checked out. You probably have a poor connection in the starter solenoid causing your low voltage.

 

[$20boat]

Re: New boater, make standard boo-boo, need info on starter

Super gentlemen!
thanks for the inputs and recommendations. I'll try them and let you know what i find. Again, thanks very much!