New starter for $94, too good to be true?

[model14]

eBay has brand new Mercruiser 2.5L starters (I need one for my 1988) for $94 and free shipping. Too good to be true? Any experience with these?
Richard

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

Agree with Bubba ^^^^^^

 

[model14]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

Good advice, gentleman. I will heed it. Thank you.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

I had my 3.0 starter rebuilt 2 yrs ago and still no issues for around $120

Good Luck!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

If the links on eBay are to "DB Electrical", I have had good luck with there alternators and trim pumps. I have not bought any of their starters.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

DB stuff is offshore, but Ted's right. I bought a starter from them once for around $70, it's still on the motor. I did repair the old one so I could go back to it sometime, but it's just sitting in my basement taking up space. I never would have needed it if I weren't a converted outboard guy. The 2nd time I took my I/O out I used a lever type plug which fell out and allowed water into the bilge. The water got up into the starter. Next summer it failed.
Moral of the story, electrical devices must be kept dry. If I every wet my starter again I will pull it sooner and dry or clean it up right away. Spark proof isn't wet proof.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

my cheapie eBay starter has been going strong for about 5 seasons now. The lighter weight for installation was a bonus for me and my back.

 

[SWD]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

Richard, I'd bet the price of the starter its a China knock off.

In my opinion the BEST thing you can do is take your old starter to the local starter / alternator shop and have it rebuilt. It will save you money, it is guaranteed to fit properly and you'll have a warranty form a local shop. (I prefer to rebuild over even a new starter from Merc.)

I tried that but the rebuilder was more expensive than a new starter from Sierra!

 

[BigDog98]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

The best company to be purchasing any marine starters or alternators are DB ELECTRICAL STARTER-ALTERNATOR. Great price great customer service and great quality. I have my alternator on for 2 years now and she is still pumping 14v to my battery. I would defiantly go with there products!

 

[Volphin]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

I've been happy with DB components as well. Did testing on my 110A alternator and it was solid.

 

[BigDog98]

Re: New starter for $94, too good to be true?

I've been happy with DB components as well. Did testing on my 110A alternator and it was solid.

And best of all is the price!!