Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

[Madtown_Joe]

So here is my problem,

I bought a 91 Rinker with a 4.3 Mercruiser last year and in the fall had the boat winterized at a local marina. They changed all the fluids and all that good stuff. The boat started right up no problems.

Now, I took it back for the summer run up and when I went to pick it up they told me it was hard to start. I got it home and wanted to see what they meant by hard to start. What happens when I turn the key the engine turns over maybe for a second then stops and then starts to turn over and then stops again. This will repeat as long as I turn the key. I went through and cleaned all of the connections from the battery, starter, ground, and also the circuit breaker and I what I think is a relay next to it. Tried to turn it over again and same thing. Also I replaced the battery last year and when I got it home charged it up again. I think the battery is fine. I also metered out the voltage to the starter and also the the circuit breaker and that is fine. I also metered out the grounds and they are also fine.

My guess is that the starter has gone bad. Is it possible to go bad after sitting all winter? Is there anything else that I should check before replacing it.

Thanks to anyone that is able to point me in the right direction!

 

[90stingray]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

You can pull the starter and have it checked at like an auto zone or advance. Its most likely bad since you have checked cables and replaced battery.

 

[scutly]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

they winterized it last year and they never got it started this year? maybe starter but in my years and years of starter experience they ether clicked and did nuthin else or would just spin but not engage the flywheel. what your saying is she wont even turn over a full revolution? pull the plugs and check for water on top of the pistons. i hydro-locked my old boat twice because of dieseling or engine run on. i wouldn't know how yours got water in it if there is, but the symptems sure sound like shes hydro-locked.. oh and welcome to iboats joe!

 

[wifisher]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

What do you mean by the circuits that "metered out fine"? Where were the leads placed and what was the voltage? I'm not trying to say that you did it wrong or anything along those lines, but this is what will tell the story about where the power is being spent. With the tests that you said you did, you can definitively say where the problem is.

Also, it is possible for a starter to go bad over the winter, or a brand new battery can go bad over the winter. That is why it would be a big help to know exactly how you did your tests. Did you test while the motor was cranking? Have you load tested the battery?

The more we know, the more we can help you.

 

[Madtown_Joe]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

they winterized it last year and they never got it started this year? maybe starter but in my years and years of starter experience they ether clicked and did nuthin else or would just spin but not engage the flywheel. what your saying is she wont even turn over a full revolution? pull the plugs and check for water on top of the pistons. i hydro-locked my old boat twice because of dieseling or engine run on. i wouldn't know how yours got water in it if there is, but the symptems sure sound like shes hydro-locked.. oh and welcome to iboats joe!

I did have bad exhaust manifolds that I replaced this spring. I guess it would be possible for there to be water in the cylinders.

 

[Madtown_Joe]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

Update:

I pulled off the exhaust manifolds and there was water in them. I then pulled out the spark plugs and they were wet as well. I turned it over a couple of times and water shot out of the motor. It also turned over like it used to. I am going to let it dry out and hopefully that will solve the problem. Is there anything else I should check or do before putting it all back together?

Thanks for you help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

I am going to let it dry out

Ayuh,... It'll rust Solid as it dries out...
A water Wet motor needs to be Run, so it get's oiled up...

You've gotta find out Where the water came from, 'n get it Stopped...

 

[mkast]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

Start that engine as soon as possible, (read NOW.)

 

[Madtown_Joe]

Re: Bad Starter? 4.3 Mercruiser

I ran it up with muffs on for about 5-10 minutes. Then let it sit for about 3hrs and went to start it again. It turned over made a loud noise I let go of the key. Then tried again and it started right up. If water is still getting into the motor where can it becoming from? I know it's in the exhaust manifolds and risers is there anywhere else that it could be getting into the engine?