87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

[natsgrampy]

My boat won't start. Just did a bunch of work on the outdrive, replaced the ujoint bellows and shift cable and bellows and impeller. Put everything together and click, no start. Starter just clicks once.
I followed the "How to troubleshooting your engines starting system" and have determined there is a starter issue.

My question is, I have found starters on Iboats.com and Amazon.com. There are huge price differences between what appear to be the same starters. I have found one at DB Electrical for $63 and one at Iboats.com for $162. Are there huge differences between these? Will either one be correct to use in this application? They both match the engine, year, etc.
Don't want to get something that won't fit / work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

My boat won't start. Just did a bunch of work on the outdrive, replaced the ujoint bellows and shift cable and bellows and impeller. Put everything together and click, no start. Starter just clicks once.
I followed the "How to troubleshooting your engines starting system" and have determined there is a starter issue.

My question is, I have found starters on Iboats.com and Amazon.com. There are huge price differences between what appear to be the same starters. I have found one at DB Electrical for $63 and one at Iboats.com for $162. Are there huge differences between these? Will either one be correct to use in this application? They both match the engine, year, etc.
Don't want to get something that won't fit / work.

Ayuh,... If it's listed by Application, ei: Marine,... Ya, it oughta fit...

Btw,... I put a DB starter on my pickup awhile back,...
I then went to a Napa lifetime starter after that 1 burnt out...
Not that I'm blamin' the DB starter, my truck is hard on 'em...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

Btw,... I put a DB starter on my pickup awhile back,...
I then went to a Napa lifetime starter after that 1 burnt out...

How long did the DB starter last on your truck Bond-o?

I've had a DB (china knock-off) starter on my 140 HP Mercruiser for the past 3 years, or so. Been working fine and turns the engine over better than the old Delco starters ever did.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

How long did the DB starter last on your truck Bond-o?

I've had a DB (china knock-off) starter on my 140 HP Mercruiser for the past 3 years, or so. Been working fine and turns the engine over better than the old Delco starters ever did.

Ayuh,... I can get a couple of years outa the Napa lifetime starters,... The DB 1 lasted, Maybe 'bout a year...

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

The starter from DB is enroute. Will post how it turns out.
Thanks for the help once again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

OK so, I took the old starter out and it is cracked, and inside all rusted. The old starter is an ARCO replacement unit. The new one is from DB Electrical and looks much smaller. Looks like the bolts where it attaches line up. However, the old starter has 9 gears vs the new has 11.

Are they interchangeable? Before I try to put this on the motor I need to know this. The application on the DB site states it will fit this motor. What do you all think? Will it fit and work?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

OK so, I took the old starter out and it is cracked, and inside all rusted. The old starter is an ARCO replacement unit. The new one is from DB Electrical and looks much smaller. Looks like the bolts where it attaches line up. However, the old starter has 9 gears vs the new has 11.

Are they interchangeable? Before I try to put this on the motor I need to know this. The application on the DB site states it will fit this motor. What do you all think? Will it fit and work?

Ayuh,.... It's the newer permanent magnet motor type,...

It'll work, No problem...

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

You're a life saver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

New starter is in, I tested the connections with a light. Should I try a fire her up or do I have to do something else to be certain the gears have meshed? I don't want to turn the key and destroy anything.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

Started her up! one turn of the key and purred like a kitten. shut her down and restarted two more times. with third attempt all I got was a whirring noise from the starter, sounds almost like a blender.

could I have improperly installed? I read about properly installing shims if they were there previous. I did not see any when I removed the old starter, or,could there be something afoul with the new starter?

 

[Don S]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

Could be a low battery or loose/corroded battery connections.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

Just rechecked all the wires, battery is fully charged. Starter sounds as if it doesn't engage, as though free spinning.

Should I remove it and reinstall it, or test it on the bench?

Almost ready for maiden voyage of 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

Took the new starter off. The gear in the starter is spinning freely. Is this normal? Should it be tight?

 

[Don S]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

They do spin free one direction.

You may have charged the battery, but is it any good. One with a faulty cell may start your engine a time or two then be to weak to start it again. Get it LOAD tested.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: 87 Mercruiser 3.0 starter issue

The gear will spin in both directions and I can slide it up and down the shaft, There is no resistance and there is a large washer behind the gear that I can freely move any direction, left, right, in and out.
I hope it isn't the battery as I put in 2 brand new last year, neither will make the starter work, anything is possible though.
Will have them checked out tomorrow.