"New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

[longisldr]

This is a refined, abbreviated re-post due to lack of response. I have a newly installed starter for a 1985 Sea Ray with a 140hp 3.0 mercruiser engine. I installed the starter with the engine out of the boat and tested the starter. Everything was great. The engine cranked every time. Put the engine back in the boat and the starter made a loud whining noise, it engages the flywheel but refuses to crank the engine over. I removed the starter from the engine and did a bench test and everything seems to work normally. I checked all terminals and wiring for cleanliness and put a voltmeter on all necessary connections to check for proper voltage and everything checked out ok. Every once and a while the starter would actually crank the engine briefly and then stop while making that squealing sound. I really need some advice on this one. I only had 2 responses to my last post a few days ago. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[T-Bone Coug]

Re: "New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

First, does the engine turn manually. Second, is the drive attached? Answer those and people might be able to help.

In the future don't start a new thread for the same problem/question. You may have answered the same questions previously.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: "New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

seized outdrive?
perhaps this thread can help,,,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=389450

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: "New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

Are you sure it is fully engaging?

When I bought my boat last year, the starter had just been replaced. I would get a whiring, grinding noise periodically. The problem was the starter wasn't pushed as close to the block as possible before torquing down the starter bolts. My starter gear wasn't fully engaging the flywheel and was grinding the edge of the teeth on the flywheel. I put the starter back in right, and no more trouble.

 

[searay3]

Re: "New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

Pull the starter again and check the gear and flywheel teeth visually. If they look good my bet is the bendix is bad. It happens. Was the starter new? you may have recourse thru the seller. If used, you may have to spring for a new bendix. Remember, the marine starter is sealed and if you take it apart must be resealed again.

 

[longisldr]

Re: "New" starter is engaging, squealing, not cranking!!

Thanks for all the replies. To answer a few of your responses, the engine does turn over with a socket on the flywheel, the outdrive isnt even attached so I know that's not the issue, the starter gear teeth and flywheel teeth mesh perfectly together. I sent DB Electrical an email and they want me to call them in the morning to discuss the issue. It is possible they sent me the wrong starter since the first starter I ordered from them turned out to be an alternator for a Chevy Malibu. We will see. Thanks for all the suggestions, I will update post of my findings.