Starter grenaded!! pics added! UPDATED!

[smithrock]

1985 Mercruiser V6 4.3l
Last week went to start up the boat on muffs to check some things. Heard a loud chattering grinding noise figured it might be the starter, so I looked underneath and found that it was broke apart. The day before it made a slight noise but started and ran fine. I also checked the oil and it looked good. Well today I removed the starter and found the housing and part of the area that goes into the flywheel broken apart. The gears on it looked good no worn or chipped parts. I checked the oil today and it is milky, obviously water got in there somehow from running it on the muffs.

What happened?
What do I need to do now?

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand. See if there is any water in any of the cylinders. A hydrolock can break the nose cones on starters.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Ayuh,...

Sounds like it's Hydro-locked....

Question is Why,..??
How old are the exhaust Manifolds,+ Risers,..??
Was the boat in a nose-Up, or nose-Down attitude,..??

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Dont know for sure, exhaust manifolds and risers look to be in good condition. I think the manifolds were replaced when the engine was rebuilt 3-4 years ago. I bought this boat shortly thereafter.
Not sure about the nose up or down thing, its on the trailer pretty much level, it is a little nose up at this time.

I'll remove the sparkplugs and try that tomorrow . I'll let you know what I find

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

You run it in saltwater? I hope you didn't crack a head. Or rust make a hole in the head water jacket.

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

I do run it in saltwater, I do flush it out everytime with freshwater for 10-15 min.

I removed all the sparkplugs, and when I removed the one from cylinder #1 water somewhat poured out. I also removed the oil fil cap from the rocker box cover, there is freshwater droplets inside.

Now what?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Probably bad riser or manifold. You need to get some oil in that cylinder soon. I would also suggest removing the riser and manifold and checking them and / or replacing them.

May want to do a compression check to see if there is a blown head gasket or other problems as well.

Will need to obviously change the oil as well.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Here's a service bulletin from Mercruiser with more good info:
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Thanks, I bookmarked it. I still need to manually turn over the engine to see if water comes out all cylinders

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Okay, I manually turned the engine, water only came out the #1 cylinder.
I'm gonna have to wait until next week before I get the new starter and install it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

If it's salt water, you better get it fixed NOW, or you will need a new engine next week, not just a starter. To a LESSER degree if in fresh water.

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

I do boat in saltwater, this happened while on muffs in the driveway. I've ran it a few times on muffs since the last time I had it in saltwater. I always flush it out real well. I tasted it and it is freshwater.
Is there anything I can do now while waiting for my starter?
I wanted to hook up the new starter and see if that cylinder fills again. I didn't just want to start tearing things apart.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Might want to read this Merc service bulletin.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Okay. That was sent to me earlier, haven't had time to read it. It was difficult to get the engine to turn, had to have a buddy on the wrench while I pulled the belt. We did get it to free up though and turn.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

You need to get it started NOW, the reason it's hard to turn is because of rust. Rings are freezing to the cylinder walls. You engine is going downhill fast , by the hour.
Get a cheap automotive starter to use and keep the engine hatch open and use you nose to sniff for gas and get it running. NOW................

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Can I use the starter I have with part of the nose cone broken off? the gears and teeth all look good

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Can I use the starter I have with part of the nose cone broken off? the gears and teeth all look good

Heard a loud chattering grinding noise figured it might be the starter, so I looked underneath and found that it was broke apart.

I guess only you can answer the question of whether or not it is usable. If it works, use it! From your original post it sounds like that is not a viable option.

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Yeah, i thought about it, its not. the housing broken so it wont stay tight
i'll try to figure something out. Putting some oil down the cylinder should help, right?

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Run do not walk to the nearest Advance or Auto zone ... and get a starter they are 20 dollars. The nose cone one maye work but if it doesnt it cold grind teeth off the flywheel and then the engine has to come out.

 

[smithrock]

Re: Starter grenaded!!

Re: Starter grenaded!!

how is it going to bolt up and stay tight? Just ask for a Chevy starter? Doesn't it have to be year and application spefic?