Starter on my port side engine just grinds

[mikethepike]

Finally put my boat in the water last week and i go to start the starboard engine...it cranked kinda slow but started right up. I go too start the port engine and the starter just grinds on the flywheel. I charged both batteries up and i get the same result.

Is it time for a new starter ? I wonder if the exhaust flappers let water past and hydrolocked the engine?

Any thoughts?

96 mercruiser 350 lx's with 500 hours

Thank you in advance

 

[Pete104]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

Grinding is different than hydro-lock. Grinding is not fully engaging. Hydro-lock starter engages but won't crank.
Charge and test your batteries. Not with the starters, use a load tester or hydrometer if they are not sealed.
Remove spark plugs on both engines and crank them. With plugs out you'll identify a difference in the cranking speed and judge the starter.

 

[zx9rstv]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

I would remove your plugs, and try to turn the engine by hand. One of my motors did that same thing and it ended up being seized. I hope this isn't your case. But best to rule it out first

 

[cr2k]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

First clean and tighten all your electrical connections in this circuit. Then bar your engine over a little and try again. If it does fine then you may have a bad ring gear on your flywheel. Either pull engine to fix or bar over every time this happens as ONLY a temporary emergency fix as this will eventually damage more of the ring gear and the starter.

 

[Stamey]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

I'll add that you may also have a bad starter drive AKA Bendix. Sometimes when these go bad they will cause the starter to not be able to engage the ring gear properly and you get only grinding. Either way, repeated attempts at starting the engine with the grinding going on will cause damage to the started drive and the ring gear.
If you can turn the engine a few degrees by hand then the started engages properly, you probably have a bad spot in your ring gear.

Chris

 

[mikethepike]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

I'll add that you may also have a bad starter drive AKA Bendix. Sometimes when these go bad they will cause the starter to not be able to engage the ring gear properly and you get only grinding. Either way, repeated attempts at starting the engine with the grinding going on will cause damage to the started drive and the ring gear.
If you can turn the engine a few degrees by hand then the started engages properly, you probably have a bad spot in your ring gear.

Chris

I had a new flywheel and starter put on that side 6 years ago....last thing i want to do is have that repair bill again. I will r and r that starter with a new 1 and keep you advised.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

Did you pull any plugs?

 

[zx9rstv]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

Any update?

 

[mikethepike]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

Going down Wednesday to do this

 

[mikethepike]

Re: Starter on my port side engine just grinds

I bought a new starter saturday and had the old 1 out in 5 minutes (thanks to long arms) ...i installed the new starter and solved my problem!!!!! She cranks like a dream now....thank you everyone for your help, this forum is a great resource.