1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

[medalist1901]

Hello all, I was reading some of the posts, and some people have got some good answers to help them out, so, i decided to put one on here.

I just bought a 1988 Starcraft Medalist 1901. I only payed $600. for it. Id does need some work. The first prob. I am having is, I put the battery in, I have power too everything, but when i try to start it, something clicks back by the engine and all the lights go out??? I turn the key off, wait a few min. All the light start to work again???

My question is, is there like some kind of breaker for the starter back there that will shut all the power off to the boat??

This is my first boat, and the first time I have posted anything on here, so i hope I am doing this right.
Let me know what you think, if you have any questions for me just ask
Thanks, Bryan

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

I used to have the exact same boat! Is it red and white?

First thing to check is the connections on the battery,starter and the ground wire on the engine block.
There are also 2 50 amp fuses on the top of the engine,just left and rear of the carb.They are inside black rubber boots that look just like wire plugs.
I doubt its the fuses but the connections inside the fuse housing could be corroded.

Clean all the connections shiney clean and see what happens.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

If you know all your connections are good, could easily be a bad(stuck) starter. If the bilge has ever had enough water in it to submerge the starter, even only once, time to pull the starter and have a look.

Did you get to run the engine before you bought the boat?

I know you think $600 is a good price. Just a warning...repair to the engine and drive can add up fast so the cheap boat gets expensive...fast!

 

[drrm123]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

sounds like corrosion on connectors, disconnect battery and clean all connections on starter wires and ground wires, scotch pad works great.

 

[medalist1901]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

well, lol, no, i did not hear it run before i bought it, i did pull the cover off the out drive the oil looked clean, it did lock in, and out of gear, the was no play where the prop is at.. but, the boat has some electrical issues that i do need to get fixed. (they have a lot of wire nuts on this thing) scary, but if i could find a wire diagram and get that takin care of. Do you know where i can find one?? I tried to jump the starter silo. but got nothing, not even a spark, so ill check the ground, and battery conections again. The engine is not locked, i can turn it by hand, but if i can just get it to turn over ill feel a lot better.

thanks for the help, ill recheck everthing again and ill let you know the out come Thanks again, Bryan

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

Good luck.

Best thing to do is get a factory OMC manual. They aren't cheap but are worth it over getting a Seloc or a Clymer. The Seloc does have a decent wiring diagram but not much else. Your starter circuit is a pretty much a no brainer. As long as you have a good connection between the battery and the starter, you can do a jumper to the solenoid start terminal at a minimum to test things out.

Did not want to be to negative in my previous post. OMC Cobras have issues that you won't know until you actually put it in the water. I suggest you pull the drive and change the drive oil before you do that though. I used to have a Cobra...know all about them.

One more thing...what do you mean you pulled the cover off of the outdrive? Are you talking the cover with the 3 screws that uncovers where the water pump is?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

Here is the original print factory manual.I know its expensive but SO well worth it.
It was the first thing i bought when i owned my Cobra and was worth every penny.

You may want to email the seller and see if he has a used condition copy.They are usually about half that price.
Tell him Gary in NC sent you and he may cut you a better deal....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...62QQcategoryZ26453QQihZ024QQitemZ370106495280

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

Here is another one really cheap..its for 1986 but should still have any info you need...I don't think any major changes were made between 86 and 88.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Man...Z380078634597QQadnZManualsQ20Q26Q20Literature

 

[medalist1901]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

well it turns out that it was a bad conection at the starter, it was cranking, but no start. so I filled the fuel filter and cleaned the points, she fired right up!! It has a bit of water in the oil, so im going to change it in the morning and see how that goes Thanks for the help, and the links i'll look into getting a manual as soon as I can.. once again thanks for the help Bryan

 

[medalist1901]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

bruceb58..... the cover we took of was on the top of the out drive, there is 4 bolts in it. there was a big gear in it that looked like it comes like from inside the boat. it looked like it was full of gear oil, or some real thick oil... Is this a prob???? Another question, there was a rubber impeller in the boat, I think this is something that pumps the water through the outdrive into the engine. I dont think it is for my boat but, where in the outdrive is this located?? Is it hard to get to??? I HOPE IT DONT GO TO MY BOAT!!! Thanks again Bryan

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 Starcraft omc 4.3

The water pump impeller is under the plastic cover that is located just below the upper gearcase cover you already took off.
Remove the plastic cover and you will see the round water pump housing.

The other piece you took apart will need a new gasket now(large o-ring)..you can not just put the cover back on the gear case and hope it wont leak.

You REALLY need a manual before taking things apart.

The water pump impeller needs inspected or changed on any boat you buy.
Unless you know its history.
The good thing is the Cobra impeller is really easy to get to.