starter bolt sheered off........

[jhells66]

I guess I had this in the wrong forum......I think I already know the answer to this but thought I would throw it out there anyway. Yesterday took the boat out, when I went to start it, heard a screatching noise from the flywheel, looked, and my starter was hanging by one bolt, Here the inside bolt had sheered off up inside the engine. The engine is a 1998 Mercruiser 3.0L 4cyl. Is there any way to fix this issue other than haveing the entire engine pulled, flipped over, whole bored out for new bolt, put back in. I was estimated about 1500.00 to pull and reinstall the engine bore out for new Bolt. All labor and about $2.00 for the bolt. It is a very peculiar position but I was wondering ifpatience and one of the bolt extractors might work, anyone ever have any luck in using one of those?

 

[IES99]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

This has been discussed on this forum elsewhere.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=403813&highlight=starter+bolts+broken

It happened to me, but both starter bolts broke off. I drilled them out myself using a 90 degree drill head and broken stud remover bit. On my 1988, the port side bolt goes all the way through the block, so I was able to drill that one out easily from above.

Having said that, others on this forum recommend having the motor pulled, the broken pieces drilled out and the starter and motor replaced.

My starter works fine and the repair cost me about $40 for tools and about 2 hours of my time.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

NO 3.0 costs $1500 to r&r, and the broken stub 99% of the time comes right out, shouldn't be more than $450-550 job, tops, not including new starter.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

If and I mean if you have the room for the right angle drill the bolt w/ the blind hole will be the most challenging but if your patient and align the drill correctly it can be done use a drill 1/2 the size of the original bolt and drill a pilot hole 1st tap in a drill extractor and heat area lightly! with propane and or map gas torch and try to remove bolt do not use excessive force just make sure the extractor is constantly driven into the hole while turning. What do you have to loose it's better than paying for engine removal! TAKE YOUR TIME! Good luck!!!!!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

If you are going to try drilling with a 90* drill, use a left handed drill bit. The broken off part might spin right out when the bit digs in.

 

[jhells66]

Its OUT!

Its OUT!

Thanks for all the replies, I took all the advice, bought a bolt extractor with left handed drill bits, used a right angle drill, definitely took my time, hard area to work in. After about 1.5 hrs and a few cold beers I got the remaining bolt out, actually this looks like it happened before because I got one fragment out which had about 6 threads and then had to extract a second fragment which had about 8 threads. Whew! stopping to get new starter bolts tonight and get her running, Thanks again everyone!

 

[indy440]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

look at my previous threads, I just did this last month. Was a pretty easy fix!

 

[IES99]

Re: Its OUT!

Re: Its OUT!

Thanks for all the replies, I took all the advice, bought a bolt extractor with left handed drill bits, used a right angle drill, definitely took my time, hard area to work in. After about 1.5 hrs and a few cold beers I got the remaining bolt out, actually this looks like it happened before because I got one fragment out which had about 6 threads and then had to extract a second fragment which had about 8 threads. Whew! stopping to get new starter bolts tonight and get her running, Thanks again everyone!

Good work! And don't you feel good that you did it yourself? And you did it while having adult beverages! I'm proud of you!

What sort of beer?

 

[jhells66]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

Corona with a lime....lol

 

[IES99]

Re: starter bolt sheered off........

Corona with a lime....lol

Nice choice.