Broken Flywheel Tooth?

[burtonrider11]

My starting saga continues....I went to winterize our boat this weekend and while trying to start it, after a few cranks, that starter starting making really bad sounds. I am thinking I may have a broken tooth on the flywheel/ring gear. I did note that my batteries were a bit low and I could not get the boat started after a few minutes of trying. I charged up a battery and poof, boat fired right up. This time, I didn't note any noises.

If I do have a broken tooth, can I continue using the flywheel as is, taking care not to crank it a lot? I know this will require pulling the engine, so I'd like to avoid the major mechanics bill for this....

Also, I do have a new marine starter installed, it has worked perfectly the last 3 times since I installed it, maybe there is something wrong there? I don't recall seeing a shim from the original starter I removed. I did check the starter, it didn't feel loose. Is it possible that it does need a shim?

I am wondering also, if it could be something with starter not having a full battery charge and disengaging with the flywheel? I noticed that after initial noise, the starter sounds different, almost like it's spinning faster?

I should also note that after the boat was started, it ran perfectly, so I don't suspect something internally wrong with the engine that is causing this.

As always, thanks for all the help here!

 

[JoLin]

I did note that my batteries were a bit low and I could not get the boat started after a few minutes of trying. I charged up a battery and poof, boat fired right up. This time, I didn't note any noises.

What makes you think that a starter or flywheel tooth is broken? Reading the above, seems like you found the culprit? Starters draw a lot of amps.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Pull the starter, 'n LOOK,....

If there's a broken tooth on the ring gear, it won't get better, 'n Will get worse,....

Continuin' to use it will only cause more damage,.....

99% of the time, a motor always comes to a stop, in the same place on the ring gear,.....

 

[rick3452]

Make sure your starter bolts are tight. Mine did the same thing and made the same noise. Please report results.

 

[burtonrider11]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will be re-checking the starter bolts at some point in the off season. Unfortunately, to pull the starter, I'll have to remove the exhaust manifold. Not a huge job, I just did it a month ago, but it will be one for the springtime....

Thinking I will wait for spring, double check the bolts and make sure they are tight. Get a full charge on the batteries and try it. If I get any noise, I'll pull the starter....

My only reasoning that is it the flywheel is that when starting it, it seemed like I could spin the motor for a second or two and then the sound. I could repeat this with some regularity. I am hoping that with a full charge, perhaps the starter can spin the flywheel fast enough that it will spin right past any broken tooth...

 

[burtonrider11]

What makes you think that a starter or flywheel tooth is broken? Reading the above, seems like you found the culprit? Starters draw a lot of amps.

Well, it's an unscientific study at best I am hoping this is the culprit. The only reason I can't be sure is that my engine started ridiculously quick! It's a carbed motor, so normally it needs a few cranks, sometimes more than others. This time, it just fired right up....So, I am really hoping it's more of an amperage issue than anything else.....

 

[johnkom]

I've heard starters make moaning and/or rachet-ity, chattering sounds when cranking with low voltage. Is that what you heard?

JK

 

[burtonrider11]

I've heard starters make moaning and/or rachet-ity, chattering sounds when cranking with low voltage. Is that what you heard?

JK

Kind of? I did have some more serious sounding mechanical sounds. More of a clunking? Enough so that my 9 year old son looked at me and said, that's not good. I am hoping that perhaps what I was getting was a low voltage situation causing the starter to inadvertantly engage/disengage?

After all this happened, the starter does sound different. Almost more of a higher pitch sound? It seems to spin the entire motor over faster?

 

[burtonrider11]

Have been doing some further research. My biggest fear was that I may have/have had a hydro locked engine. I checked the engine oil via dipstick and oil looks perfect, no evidence of any water at all. I routinely check the oil and throughout the summer the oil (though black) never looked milky. I am fairly confident we can rule out hydro locking. Also, when I pulled one manifold, there was only carbon in the exhaust area, no rust, so it looks good from that regard.

I am wondering if the starter needs to be shimmed? Is there a good way to tell if it needs to be shimmed? I have used the current starter 3-4 times with no issues at all prior to this. Prior to re-commisioning her next spring, I am going to check the bolts to make sure they are good and tight as well. I did feel around the starter today, it doesn't fee loose. If it makes any strange noises next spring, I'll pull the starter and inspect. Any input on shimming or other ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

I am wondering if the starter needs to be shimmed? Is there a good way to tell if it needs to be shimmed?

Ayuh,.... Ya pull the motor, mount it on a stand, collaspe the solenoid to extend the bendix, 'n then see if ya can insert a straightened paperclip in between the bendix gear, 'n the ring gear,....

If the paperclip clears, ya don't need any shims,.....

 

[burtonrider11]

Ayuh,.... Ya pull the motor, mount it on a stand, collaspe the solenoid to extend the bendix, 'n then see if ya can insert a straightened paperclip in between the bendix gear, 'n the ring gear,....

If the paperclip clears, ya don't need any shims,.....

Thanks Bondo....probably a bit more involved than my pay grade allows I appreciate the info however.