I was having issues getting my engine to run correctly earlier this year and was eventually able to straighten it out. During all my trial and error of starting the boat, the starter started making a grinding noise then stopped engaging altogether. I removed the starter and saw the starter housing was cracked right where it moounts to the block. I saw a tooth missing on the ring gear and the others looked a little beat up but not too bad. I purchased an exact replacement marine starter and the grinding noise is still there.
* There were not any shims with the old starter. From what I have read, shims stay with the motor, not the starter
* The engine starts are runs great even with the grinding noise (so engine is not hydrolocked)
* I have the back bracket in place to hold the starter in place
* The engine cranks/starts as normal, just sounds like something is wrong.
* Physically, the starter is nice and secure and doesn't move when cranking the engine
1989 3.0L
Is my boat living on borrowed time until I have to pull the motor and replace the ring gear?
* There were not any shims with the old starter. From what I have read, shims stay with the motor, not the starter
* The engine starts are runs great even with the grinding noise (so engine is not hydrolocked)
* I have the back bracket in place to hold the starter in place
* The engine cranks/starts as normal, just sounds like something is wrong.
* Physically, the starter is nice and secure and doesn't move when cranking the engine
1989 3.0L
Is my boat living on borrowed time until I have to pull the motor and replace the ring gear?
