starter issue?

[maxum454]

Hi<br />Everyone,thanks in advance for any help.<br />Went to turn over my maxum27scr/454 today and starter cranked then loud grinding noise. Tried again same. Tried again, NO CRANKING !!! . Tried again ,cranked, grinding noise. This is sign of the starter is going bad? If it is, wondering what an avg job such as replacing will run me?<br />thanks again

 

[boatingfool]

Re: starter issue?

Sounds like a starter to me.<br />Or the Bendix drive.<br /><br />Sometimes if the starter mount bolts loosen up you may have the same symptoms you are having.<br /><br />Either way a starter (if thats the problem) is an easy fix.

 

[Solittle]

Re: starter issue?

Before you yank the starter - - check the battery for a full charge with a hydrometer. Then check/clean the cables in the starting circuit. Then have someone hit the starter while you listen closely to the starter solonoid (when they go bad you may hear a clicking noise).

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: starter issue?

The most common reason the gear reduction started fails in this engine is its hydro locked. You broke the starter drive off on the starter. There is a reason the starter drive broke not a bad starter. If you put a new starter in. Make sure the engine turns over with a breaker bar on the crank shaft or pull all the spark plugs and look for rust or water on them.

 

[maxum454]

Re: starter issue?

If it is the starter or bendix, do you know how much the job will run? I just want to have an idea so as to not get taken advantage of. <br />thanks

 

[boatingfool]

Re: starter issue?

A starter should run you no more than an hours labor. What ever the going rate is in your area.<br /><br />As far as the price of the starter, I would call around or even shop online to find the going rate.<br /><br />Starters are very easy to change. Usualy 2 bolts, a couple of wires, and sometimes some shims.<br /><br />Unless your starter is in some weird unaccessable place even someone who has never changed a stareter before can do it in twenty minutes.<br /><br /> Just make sure the Battery is disconnected first !!!!

 

[MrBill]

Re: starter issue?

boatingfool: Seems like brushes in starter have worn or bad spot on armature. A rebiuld is probably $50 less than buying new or new-rebuilt, should be about $200-$240 to replace via online. Should be an easy install. I'd buy new for the $200+ for piece of mind. Starters can be bench tested...<br />Here's a link to start comparing prices, just select the right 454.<br /><br /> http://www.mercruiserparts.com/mercruiser_parts.asp

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: starter issue?

Why did the starter fail? New style gear reduction starters dont fail the way old ones did. The only reason for the unit to fail internaly would be water intrusion or If the starter got water on it. It will hang up the drive not break the starter drive. If the starter drive is broken. Its not the starter that is the problem. Its not like an old starter that eats brush packs.

 

[maxum454]

Re: starter issue?

Hi Again,<br />I do not notice any water that has gotten to my starter, bildge area dry. Is this what you meant brian?<br />thanks

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: starter issue?

Two thing will effect the new style gear reduction starter. 1. Water in the bilge. It will rusted up the starter drive. Or water get inside the motor itself. 2. The starter drive breaks (usally from the engine being hydro locked).

 

[rodbolt]

Re: starter issue?

hello<br /> Maxum454<br /> what brian03 is assuming is that yoiu have the small case permmanent magnet starter motor that has a gear reduction, it is rare for then to fail. the most common failures are water in the bilge and water in a cylinder causeing the engine not to be able to rotate so the starter will twist the drive and break something. as far as Time its anybody's guess. I have seen some boats that required a complete disasembly of the aft interior to acess it and others that were in plain sight, a few that require lifting of the motor to clear the stringers. so good luck and keep posting but do try to find out why the old one failed to prevent another failure.

 

[maxum454]

Re: starter issue?

Gentleman,<br />Thanks for all your ideas and advise. I replaced the starter with new gear reduction starter. There was some metal laying next to old one and starter was also loose. Seems that it was not connecting completely with flywheel,thus grinding down starter. The flywheel {sprocket}? to be replaced this spring. Turned boat over and started very well. Much quieter than old starter also. I will let you know this spring. Boat is now hibernating for the winter. Thanks again.<br />djm

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: starter issue?

Good job Capt. Most of the time when the bolts wernt tighten enough at the factory the bolts broke off in the block. I think you got lucky. Most off the time the bolts broke off in the block. You have too pull the engine to remove the broken bolt. You might want to play the lottery.