Starter problems

[oxfordgt]

Today when I went to start the boat out on the water I just got a really bad grinding noise. Had to get towed in. Any way to test the starter or rebuild it? It is a 4.3LX engine.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Starter problems

First make sure ALL of your connections are tight and free from corrosion/rust. If that doesn't help you can pull the starter off and take to an auto parts store that can test it for you. If it is bad it will be less expensive to have it rebuilt at a rebuilder. DO NOT go for a cheaper automotive (Not Marine Rated) starter, this will cause your boat to blow up.

That said you could have a bad spot on the flywheel. When this happens try baring the engine over a little and see what happens. If it starts, or turns over fine at least for a little you probably need a new ring gear. NO you don't have to replace the flywheel you can get just the ring gear for it.

 

[oxfordgt]

Re: Starter problems

Water in 5 of the 6 cylinders. Which pisses me off cause I just replaced one riser gasket. What can I use to make it seal better?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter problems

Water in 5 of the 6 cylinders. Which pisses me off cause I just replaced one riser gasket. What can I use to make it seal better?

Ayuh,.... Gasket sealant can't fix poor sealin' surfaces on a castin',...

If their Leakin',... There's a Reason,....

 

[oxfordgt]

Re: Starter problems

Well I caked on the RTV. Hopefully it works.

By the way I did crank the engine over with the plugs out and the starter is fine. I also shoved paper towels in the manifolds to get the water out of them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter problems

Well I caked on the RTV. Hopefully it works.

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: It won't

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Starter problems

Just get some proper gaskets, clean off the mating surfaces assemble and torque.
RTV ain't going to work. the gaskets have passages.

 

[oxfordgt]

Re: Starter problems

I used gaskets but put rtv on both sides of them.

But I now have much bigger problems. Water in the oil and I'm pretty sure the flywheel is missing a couple teeth. I'm gonna try to pull the starter and verify that teeth are missing from the flywheel. If it is then I'm gonna have to sell or trade the boat. I don't have means to pull the engine since the boat is so high and I would have to pay a shop to pull it which would be more then the boat is worth.

 

[oxfordgt]

Re: Starter problems

Got the starter off and the flywheel is chewed up. Not missing teeth but chewed up.