OMC 460 won't start

[BlowHo]

Tried to start the motor today and it will not.

Both batteries were charged and the tester says they are full. When I turn the key the engine cranks, but really slow like a dying battery would do. I tried to jumpstart it from a car and got the same thing.

I cleaned all of the electrical connections I could and tried again with some starter fluid. Motor cranked the same way, however it did turn over and then promptly died when I let off the key.

I noticed under the starter that there was a lot of debris like salt being ground up. The starter was pretty hot from just a few cranks.

My questions is: Might this be a bad starter? If not, anybody have any ideas that I could try?

Thanks.

Bill

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Sure it could be the starter, wouldn't be the first starter in a boat to go bad.
But it could also be water in the cylinders. Pull the spark plugs and see if it turns over and what comes out of the cylinders.
For that matter, it could be the outdrive is locking up. So pulling the outdrive and trying to crank it over would also be a good idea.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Also make sure your fan belt driven accessories are all turning. It could be the the alternator, waterpump, ect is locked up.

You could pull the drain plug on the drive and see what come out of it, water, milkshake mud, or gear lube. If its clean gear lube its probably not the drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

I noticed under the starter that there was a lot of debris like salt being ground up. The starter was pretty hot from just a few cranks.

Ayuh,......

I'd Start with the Starter.......

 

[BlowHo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

I pulled the plugs, defintely no water. Outdrive oil looks clean, prop turns freely. All the belt driven accessories are turning with the motor so I don't think any of them are locked up.

I think it is the starter, but I am trying to think of anything/everything else to try before I pull it since it in such a pain in the patoot spot.

Thanks for the suggestions on other things.

PS - will any Ford 460 starter work, or is there something special about marine ones? Thanks

 

[180shabah]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

tried again with some starter fluid. Motor cranked the same way, however it did turn over and then promptly died when I let off the key.

Throw that starting fluid in the trash while you still have an engine worth starting.

Also, I agree with bondo - it is time to play contortionist and pull the starter.

 

[BlowHo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Thanks Shabah. Starting fluid is bad? I've been using it on tractors my whole life and all of them still run.

Are you saying a tractor is different than a boat?! Just kidding, I felt bad doing it but I wanted to hear it come to life.


Same old starter as any Ford 460??

 

[jfcar]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

If it turning over fast enough to start, check for spark at plugs and fuel at carb. and go from there.
John

 

[BlowHo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

It really isn't turning over fast enough to start. With the starting fluid it caught like it was going to, backfired, then turned off.

I have spark and there is fuel in the carb.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Marine rated Starters have Most Spark Suppression than a normal starter......

Get a Marine Starter,..... So you don't Blow-Up yourself,+ your Boat......

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Outdrive oil looks clean, prop turns freely.

The prop can turn without turning the engine. You could also have a rusty, binding gimbal bearing because of water in the bellows. Which is another reason to pull the drive.

In reallity, if there is corrosion falling off the starter, you probably just need a new starter.
Time to get to work.

 

[BlowHo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Thanks men. I have not been a member long but you guys really do a lot to help out novices like myself. I appreciate all of your time and advice, as Don said, time to get to work.

Bill

 

[180shabah]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Thanks Shabah. Starting fluid is bad? I've been using it on tractors my whole life and all of them still run.

Starting fluid is bad on any GAS engine. It has a very low flashpoint so it can ignite early. Diesel engines are built stronger, and thus tollerate this better.

 

[jfcar]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

If batteries are good as first posted, then I would guess the starter being bad. Can be rebuilt, new brushes and bearing, less money.
John

 

[Coors]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Don't even use starting fluid on a diesel- wrap a gas soaked rag on the air cleaner; more gentle on it.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Ether is fine on a gas 4-cycle engine; choke cleaner is better. On a diesel we use wd-40 or spray silicone lube, both work equally well. NEVER use ether on a diesel is what they told me at Cummins certification training.
And I agree with replacing the starter.
--

Stan

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Starting fluid is NOT fine on a gas engine. It can bend rods just like water. It's not good on any engine.
If you need that stuff to start your engine, you need repairs to your engine, not a spray to possibly make it worse.

 

[BlowHo]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Alright, I threw the can away, sheesh!

I pulled the starter and there was about a 1/4 cup of salt in it. Cleaned it up, and threw it back together. Installed just for the heck of it.

Tried it again and it acts like it has dead batteries. I have one of those cheapie battery charge checkers with the floating balls, it says the batteries are good to go. I am gonna pull the batteries tomorrow and have them checked by a professional.

Would a dying starter give symptoms similar to a dying battery? You know the sound, "uh-ruh, uh-ruh, uh-ruh".


I checked all of the things suggested so far, it has to be bad batteries or the starter, right?

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Put a new starter on it and quit screwing around.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC 460 won't start

Bill,

Let me know if you want this starter I have from my 460. It's the original one but there was nothing wrong with it. I'll be home for the most part all week.

Regards,

Rick