problems

[tcsigler]

So, two weeks ago, we took the boat out and it ran fine. Motor sounded perfect. When we went to take it out last week, we could not get it to turn over. I took the starter off and brought it to the shop (as suggested) and it checks out. The guy at the shop said that the engine has probably seized up and that the reason I only hear one click when I turn the ignition is that when the starter motor engages, the fly wheel stops it cold. My question is, why would the engine seize when it has not been running?? Also, what would cause the engine to seize? (it has oil)Or could there be another problem that we have not thought of?<br /><br />Thanks again!!!

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

oh yea, it is a 73 Glastron with a Volvo / Penta 170 / 270 <br /><br />Also, just had it checked out by the boat shop, (three weeks ago) and there was apparently nothing wrong with it.....<br /><br />Thanks

 

[AaronG]

Re: problems

Try turning the engine over by hand. Use a socket with a breaker bar on the crank pulley. Before knowing whether or not the engine turns freely, everything is just speculation.<br /><br />I would have done that before I took the starter off.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: problems

First, make sure you have a good battery, that its fully charged and the cables are clean and tight. No guessing here. If you are not sure, use a known good battery. And no -- you don't prove anything by attempting to jump a "bad" battery. Now - having proven the battery is ok, it could be that the motor is hydro-locked -- meaning somehow or other, water has gotten into one or more cylinders. Since water doesn't compress, the engine can't turn over when you hit the starter. Remove the spark plugs and try to turn the engine over. If it still refuses, either the outdrive is seized or the engine is seized. If the engine now turns over and water is expelled, you need to determine how it got inside the engine. If the engine still refuses to turn over, you need to either purchase a service manual for you engine and outdrive and begin troubleshooting yourself or load it up and make the trip to the shop.

 

[tommays]

Re: problems

the most common cause would be water getting in the motor and causeing hydrolock<br /><br />could be anything from driver error to a gasket or manifold riser problem stuck valve ,ect,ect<br /><br />the only way to tell is pull the plugs and see if the motor will turn over and push out the water<br /><br />if you find water its inportant to try to get it running again ASAP to stop any rust damage and the n find out how it got in<br /><br /><br />if theres no sigh of water the drive can also lock up and keep the motor from starting but that would be my last guess<br /><br />tommays

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: problems

Just trying to keep it simple, is the drive in neutral? maybe a lock out switch.<br />Best thing is what AaronG says though, make sure it turns by hand first.

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

so if it is hydrolock, will the water come out from the exaust when I turn the motor by hand? Also, what type of driver error would cause this to happen? I woule hate to be the one to keep making the same mistake!!!<br /><br />Thanks for yalls help!!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: problems

not really, almost impossable to turn a motor over with anything with water in the cylinders.<br /><br />shutting the key off while in fwd motion,<br />pulling the throttle off quickly and getting a stern wave up the exaust,crack in the manifold or riser, cracked head, block,head gasket and if you have thru-hull exaust (This is true)having your son or daughter help you clean by putting the hose in the exaust tip to clean it out.

 

[tommays]

Re: problems

you going to have to see if the starter is clicking and doing nothing or its clunking because the motor cant move.<br /><br />if you dont no how to trouble shoot the starter circut you may need help from someone who does<br /><br />if there is water in the motor the last thing you want to do is try to force it turn over with the starter<br /><br />the fastest and safest thing you can do is pull the sparkplugs its the only way you going to turn it over and get the water out IF that is the problem<br /><br />its very easy to get water in the motor you can make a sudden stop from high speed have to much weight in the stern of the boat <br /><br />i would worry about whats worng first and then worry about how not to do it again<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[mercrewser]

Re: problems

If lights dim or blower slows down when you turn the key, the motor or drive is stuck. If not, its electrical. My money is on simple electrical problem.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: problems

Tommays, how is it possible to get water in the engine from a high speed sudden stop, with a lot of weight in the rear and the engine still running ? Thanks.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: problems

Tcsigler, don't panic yet, put the starter back on, and with a known good battery, with tight clean cables and connections, try to start it again. Tommays post is very important, are you hearing a click (such as someone snapping their fingers) or is it a clunk ( something that you can feel....especially if your hand is touching the motor)? If you are getting a click, Most boats have a starter assist relay that is seperate from the starter and solenoid, these $15 items take the voltage from your key switch and "make the electrical connection" to your starter solenoid (mounted on the starter). These things go out all of the time....very cheap and easy to replace. If you are getting a clunk or thud....then it is time to remove spark plugs and such.....let us know....we'll get you through it. Buy the way, time is of the essence, if it is a clunk or thud....keep us posted.

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

Thanks!!<br /><br />The battery is a month, maybe two months old, I checked it with a multi-meter and it seems to be putting out the required voltage (12.3 - 12.6). It makes a single audible click. There is no clunk. The boat is in Oyster Creek, about an hour away from Houston. So, I am making a list of all the things to do when I go back out there. Hopefully tomorrow, depending on the weather. <br /><br />Thanks for all of your help!!<br /><br />It is greatly appreciated

 

[chuckz]

Re: problems

You cannot check the charge state of a battery with a voltmeter and no load. Put the voltmeter across the battery and apply a load or check the battery with a hydrometer or charge the battery before using it. I would certainly charge the battery before I started troubleshooting. It may not be the battery but you know murphy, the battery will die when you're still chasing the problem.

 

[Don S]

Re: problems

Due to the design of the exhaust manifold on the 170, I doubt there is raw water in the engine due to faulty manifold. Water would have to leak "Uphill" to get into the cylinders. However, a leaky head gasket could allow antifreeze into the cylinders to cause a hydroloc. Pulling the spark plugs and turning the engine over by hand will let you know if there is water in the cylinders or not.<br />You have mentioned the battery is Ok, but nothing about the condition of the battery cables. I have seen too many cable that the end of the cable where it goes into the cable end is so corroded and "Fuzzy" that it just couldn't transmit the power from the battery to the starter. Clean and TIGHT connections at the engine and battery are a must. This is not just on the Positive cable, but the Negative cable also.

 

[jlinder]

Re: problems

I like waterone1's comment. If you hear a light click it may just be the starting solonoid.<br /><br />Look for a heavy wire from the battery positive going to a little electrical part. This part is the starting relay and typically has 3-4 wires. This is probably making the clicking sound.<br /><br />One heavy wire from the battery and another goes to the starter. Light wires are control. (cars only have 3 as they use chassis for gound).<br /><br />If your boat has this relay measure the voltage on both heavy wires. One from the battery should have 12 volts on it all the time. The other to the starter only has 12 volts during starting.<br /><br />If someone turns the key for you, do you have 12 volts on both wires? If only on 1 wire the relay is bad. If the battery drops low you have a bad battery or wires. If 12 volts on both look for a bad wire connection going to the starter.

 

[jlinder]

Re: problems

 

[vipzach]

Re: problems

Just because the battery is only a month or two old does not mean that it is not bad. I had a pretty battery before that had a cell die and would not start anything anymore. If you want to eleminate that as a possible problem just take it to a local parts place, most will check the battery for free. Best of luck with your motor!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: problems

TC, you sound like me, pretty much a novice. Stick around these forums and you'll learn alot!<br /><br />It's been mentioned that you should check/ clean the electrical connections, but might be worth emphasizing that means more than just at the battery terminals. <br /><br />Lifted from a post about checking outboard starting problems:<br /><br />* Remove and clean connections on battery-to-solenoid cable, battery-to-engine block cable and solenoid-to-starter cable. While they are off, inspect each for corrosion, broken insulation with corrosion and weak points. Replace corroded or weak cables.<br /><br />I'd add solenoid to assist solenoid connections and the assist solenoid ground as well. Someone else mentioned how corroded the ground studs at the engine can become. And I think I also remember a warning about making sure you disconnect the positive terminal at the battery BEFORE you do all of this checking/ cleaning (someone correct me if thats not important).<br /><br />I'm pretty sure my 'no start clicking' problem was a bad connection. Unfortunately, I broke the plastic assist solenoid mounts when removing to clean the ground connection. Fortunately, a new assist solenoid was only $15 and solved the problem.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: problems

Tommays, how is it possible to get water in the engine from a high speed sudden stop, with a lot of weight in the rear and the engine still running ? Thanks.

In my case there are no flappers in the exhaust system and water is kept out from the pressure of the exhaust gas. If you stop suddenly with a trailing sea the wave can slam into the stern forcing water up the exhausts into the engine. I have not had this happen but twice hydrolocked the engine when the kill switch has operated causing the boat to stop suddenly with no back pressure. In this case the symptoms are as described but remove the plugs , spin the starter then put in dry plugs she starts first time. Now unfortunately I dont wear the kill switch lead.