Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

[zollman1]

Hello all,

I've been doing research on this issue but haven't found too much, I was hoping to get some more input for my specific scenario.

I have a 1998 Stingray 190 LX with a 4.3L mercruiser V6. It recently endured a case of chocolate milk oil, and after new gaskets all the way around, new exhaust manifoldsj plus new starter, plugs, wires, etc. It has been running like a champ!

Long story short, 7 days ago I ran the boat on muffs for several minutes b/c it had been sittling for about 3-4 weeks. It started up after a few attempts and ran fine. Checked the oil, looks good, etc.

So last Saturday I take it to a local ramp to launch, and I hop in to start it up and I hear a loud pop, then grinding when trying to turn over. I also had symptoms of a dead battery after accidentally leaving the Nav lights on during the day.

I hooked up a jump pack and ruled out the battery. Still just loud grinding when I turn the key.

Fearing Hydrolock, I have taken all of the plugs out and no water came gushing out. (Thankfully)

Then I took the starter out only find that the starter nose cone had broken off inside the flywell housing with all kind of shavings everywhere and the bendix's teeth are all mangled.

Is this the problem? (i.e. Cheap *** starter) or a symptom of a problem? (i.e. Flywheel ring gear or something else?)

All input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Ayuh,........

The Usual culprit is a Starter that has Loosened up.....
Or,....
Was never Tightened properly to begin with.........

 

[zollman1]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Thanks for the quick response.

Prior to removing the starter just now, I grabbed a hold of it and attempted to move it around but it was fastened solid.

However, when I actually went to start loosening the bolts to remove the starter, there wasn't much effort required to loosen them.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Ayuh,......

They should be Torqued to about 35/40ft.lbs.......

Another thing,....
Sometimes there's a small angle bracket that can be mounted to the Front of the starter to the engine block, to increase it's stability.....

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Could be a cheep starter,but I'd look at two things.Are the mounting bolts bent? And does the mounting surface of the starter to the block look hammered ? These are signs of water intrusion in the cylinders.It does not have to be a 100% hydrolock siuation.Those new,smaller GM starters have lots of torque.Too much,maybe.

A search at arcomarine will give you a bit more info.

DHP

 

[flabum]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

With the plugs out, try rolling the motor over using the front bolt on the crank. If it rolls easy, repace the starter and (if needed) the flywheel ring gear.

 

[achris]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

It's not a listed Merc part but the ring gear can be replaced without replacing the complete flywheel assy. I've just done the job and the ring gear is available, just not from a Merc dealer. You'll need to count the teeth that are (or should be) on the starter and ring gear.

Chris............

 

[flabum]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

It's not a listed Merc part but the ring gear can be replaced without replacing the complete flywheel assy. I've just done the job and the ring gear is available, just not from a Merc dealer. You'll need to count the teeth that are (or should be) on the starter and ring gear.

Chris............

agreed,,,,,, you can get a ring gear from NAPA or any good auto parts store. Measure the diameter of the flywheel (most are 14") and the number of teeth. It can be removed with a brass drift and hammer, to install, heat the new ring gear to 250 - 300 degrees (a Mapp gas torch will do) and slide it onto the flywheel.

 

[zollman1]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Thanks for everyones input. Here is the latest upate:

I had just purchased this SIERRA starter (18-5913) back in April 2007 and it has a manufacturer warranty of 12 months per Boatersworld.com. They gave me the number to Sierra, and I have been dealing with them...

Long story short, they are sending me a new starter and I am sending the busted on back to them and they are covering my shipping costs. I didn't have to twist anyone's arm or anything.. The guy at Sierra actually told me that they had a bad batch of starters out floating around with similar problems... So FYI, for all you with SIERRA starters model 18-5913

Once I get the new one I expect to install and be back up an running without issue... Knock on wood...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Ayuh,........ I Love a Happy Ending,......... Thanks for letting Us know......

You might want to investagate putting 1 of those little angle brackets on the front of the starter,.....
They add quite abit of stability.........

 

[achris]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

You might want to investagate putting 1 of those little angle brackets on the front of the starter,.....
They add quite abit of stability.........

Please tell me more..... thanks,

Chris...............

 

[Lou C]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

My old 88 4.3 OMC has one of those brackets. I bet if you looked at the on line catalogs on the Doug Russell site you could find a part # for it and order one.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Chris,.....

I'm speaking of the Little Bitty Angle Bracket that bolts between the front small post on the starter Housing, to the Oil Pan Rail of the Block......

Part #12404 for the V-motors,+ #87300T for the In-lines.....

 

[achris]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Thanks Bond-o.....

 

[zollman1]

Re: Busted Starter Nose Cone 4.3L Mercruiser

Hey everyone, just posting the final update/conclusion to this situation.

Got the new starter in yesterday and slapped it in real quick before the sun went down, hooked up the muffs, and she turned over like champ and started up only after a couple of attempts.

I am putting her in the water today to run the hell out of it and blow all of the cobwebs out after sitting for a several weeks.

I'm going to periodically check the starter bolts from here on out and ensure they are always snug.

Also, after all of this, this repair cost me nothing b/c Sierra replaced the starter and covered all of the shipping. It just required a little time and labor of my own.

Thanks for everyones help!

MZ