I'm new to this forum but have been boating for years. I DID do a search to see if this topic had been covered, it has not...<br /><br />I have a 1996 Sea Ray 175 XL with the 4.3L Mercruiser V6, 2 barrel carb. I am an electronics tech. Due to my job my boat had to sit last year in a storage facility. Unknown to me the roof had a leak and the owner of the building did not tell me. When I towed the boat home, I noticed it was towing funny. I stopped several times to see what the problem was but could not determine the cause. Anyway, when I got the boat home I opened her up to a terrible smell! When I popped the engine cover, the engine was sitting in water over top of the starter! 
Gee a 1000 lbs of water will make a boat tow a little weird... Of course, someone out there is saying,"Why did you have the plug in?" Well it was stored INSIDE a BUILDING!!!<br />Anyway, drained the water, cleaned up the mildew mess, called and raised hell with the building owner, changed the oil, (NO water in the oil thank god!) changed the drive unit pump oil, (No water there either!) put a battery in her and CLICK! Nothing... Pulled the starter motor off (on mine it's two 1/2" bolts) and of course it's full of water and frozen... Clean it out, regrease it, bench test it, NOTHING! OK so now I determine that the solenoid is hopelessly frozen and start calling for a replacement. $127.00!!! Just for the solenoid! I took it to an automotive store and the guy said he could match it. However, when he brought out the unit it did NOT have the plunger! It just had the solenoid coil. <br /><br />So, after all that can anyone tell me if there is an automotive replacement available? Part #? Yes, I know it's a MARINE version, however I cut it apart and all I can see is they used silicone to seal the ends. It also has a PLASTIC (non-sparking) plunger. If I can find one with the plastic plunger I can seal it myself! I have found the solenoid online for $28.00 but they can't get it too me by this weekend Any and all help is appreciated.<br />Gee that's a LONG first post...
Gee a 1000 lbs of water will make a boat tow a little weird... Of course, someone out there is saying,"Why did you have the plug in?" Well it was stored INSIDE a BUILDING!!!<br />Anyway, drained the water, cleaned up the mildew mess, called and raised hell with the building owner, changed the oil, (NO water in the oil thank god!) changed the drive unit pump oil, (No water there either!) put a battery in her and CLICK! Nothing... Pulled the starter motor off (on mine it's two 1/2" bolts) and of course it's full of water and frozen... Clean it out, regrease it, bench test it, NOTHING! OK so now I determine that the solenoid is hopelessly frozen and start calling for a replacement. $127.00!!! Just for the solenoid! I took it to an automotive store and the guy said he could match it. However, when he brought out the unit it did NOT have the plunger! It just had the solenoid coil. <br /><br />So, after all that can anyone tell me if there is an automotive replacement available? Part #? Yes, I know it's a MARINE version, however I cut it apart and all I can see is they used silicone to seal the ends. It also has a PLASTIC (non-sparking) plunger. If I can find one with the plastic plunger I can seal it myself! I have found the solenoid online for $28.00 but they can't get it too me by this weekend Any and all help is appreciated.<br />Gee that's a LONG first post...