Replace my flywheel?

[CaneCutter79]

A) How hard is it to "do-it-yourself" for a guy with decent mechanical experience

B) Is my flywheel starting to fail?

C) What price range is a new flywheel for my motor (I'm finding $150-$200)

D) If it is starting to go, how long do I have before it fails completely? I'd hate to be stranded in the next 1-2 trips out.


My motor is a 1979 Evinrude V4 - model 85999R

The problem:
Motor is very cold natured. When trying to start the motor, the motor fires off a little and then dies. When the motor dies, the flywheel "squeals". By squeal, I mean like when you try to start a motor that is already running, it squeals really bad. Like that.....

That's a bad flywheel right? I don't know the mechanics of whats causing the noise but I know it's not a good thing.

Advice????



Thanks!

 

[bktheking]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Never heard of a flywheel squeal, generally starters make the nice squeal when they need lubrication or a bearing is going in the starter. Unless a magnet is loose making contact with the stator but usually a loose magnet would show other symptoms.

 

[DJ]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Never heard of a flywheel squeal, generally starters make the nice squeal when they need lubrication or a bearing is going in the starter. Unless a magnet is loose making contact with the stator but usually a loose magnet would show other symptoms.

Agreed, lube the starter shaft.

Walk the starter pinion up the shaft with your fingers. That would be the opposite diection of rotation. Apply a very light coat of marine grease.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Agreed, lube the starter shaft.

Walk the starter pinion up the shaft with your fingers. That would be the opposite diection of rotation. Apply a very light coat of marine grease.

The bendix gear was just replaced and my mechanic used a special "bendix gear lube" that he said was about $25-30 a bottle (after I asked what kind of lube should I use). So I know the gear is lubed well. I checked for that as soon as I started hearing the noise.

I also took the cowling off and turned the motor over to see where the noise is coming from. The benix gear is disengaged and down the shaft when the squealing noise occurs.

I'm 90% sure the noise is coming from underneath the flywheel. I would record a small video of it but it will be a while before I have the boat out again.

Any thoughts on the potential cause?


The motor runs fine however, I feel there are a few hundred RPMs missing somewhere. I could be wrong or I'm right and it could be solved in many different ways, (carb kit, new coils, etc) I've seen that happen before on my buddy's motor.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

At this point if I were you i'd pull the flywheel to inspect what's going on underneath, something could be making contact with the flywheel causing the noise.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

I thought about that. By removing it, will I "mess-up" something by taking it off? I'd hate to see stuff fall-out or I mess-up the timing.

So is it an easy thing to simply remove and put back on? I don't have a manual for my motor so I am a bit nervous on taking it off. :redface:

 

[bktheking]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

It shouldn't mess anything up, remove inspect replace parts and install the flywheel, this is of course if you can see something.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Could be a bad upper bearing as I have seen several fail last year..........

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

It does sound like a bearing going bad or some rubbing of some type.

The noise only occurs just before the flywheel stops turning. When you turn the key over, the motor sounds normal. If the motor does not fire or try to start, I don't believe it makes the sound when I stop turning the key. Once it fires and tries to start and disengages the bendix, the flywheel stops and then it squeals for about 1 second.


I assume I won't run the risk of getting the timing off by removing the flywheel for inspection? I can mark the flywheel to be on the safe side I guess.

Anyone have a schematic of this assembly?

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

As a follow-up, I had my boat mechanic listen to the squealing noise. Turns out it was the starter that is the source of the noise. That's actually made me happy because the starter is much less expensive to replace and means the main components of the motor and internal workings of the flywheel are still in good shape.

So, I asked the mechanic, "will the starter leave me stranded?". He said, "no, but the noise will continue to become worse".

Does that sound right? I can't afford to become stranded because I don't have a way back to the dock unless I'm really really close. I don't think my trolling motor can make it 3-4miles (or my patience).

I obviously plan on replacing the starter, just need to save the cash to replace the starter.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Yes he's right, they generally don't go from normal, to squeal back to normal. Take the starter to a "starter/alternator shop" and have them do a rebuild on it, probably needs brushes- if you are handy and patient and can fix starters then most of the parts can be bought from BRP.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

I know the noise won't go away. I'm more concerned about my next 1-2 fishing trips. I don't want the starter to totally fail and leave me stranded.

The noise only occurs when the flywheel is engaged by the engine (engine fires) and causes the bendix gear to spin at an increased rpm as it's kicked off the flywheel. The noise lasts about 1 or 1-1/2 seconds.

So this noise can be repaired in a kit vs. replacing the entire starter? I assume the brushes are bad and thats the noise? Sounds more like a bearing issue to me.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

It is normal to get some noise out of the starter on an engine of this age. My 79 V6 did the same thing for a couple of years till I took it apart. The grease in the old starter is dried up and is usually the cause for the squealing. I'd concur to pull the starter apart and clean it and relube the bottom bearing of the armature and the top cap where the shaft goes thru. When you have it apart, check the brushes. If the brushes look old or bad, replace them before you reassemble. They are not expensive. You should get many more years out of it.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

I assume there is a specialized grease that should be used for rebuilding the starter? Dieletric grease maybe?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

The problem is the bushing in end bell is worn, replace bushing and have armature end checked for egg shape

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

If the starter motor does give up the ghost AND your motor starts fairly easily, you can always rope it over (assuming you aren't 4'11" and 89 lbs.)

- Scott

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

My experience is they will squeel for years. If the motor starts easily I'd let it go until next winter when boating season is over. I usually fix problems like this when the weather is not cooperating.

Dont wory go fishing

 

[Fed]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

I'd be very surprised if it let you down.
Could you be a little slow releasing the key when the motor kicks or could the bendix be a little sticky.
Could even be the teeth on the flywheel need a bit of a hit with a wire brush & some lube.
When the motor kicks you'd think the bendix would fly back down the shaft without really putting much spin back into the starter.
I know the noise you mean, my car's been making it for years, I think they come like that from the factory. LOL

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

I solved the problem. A $6 can of CRC electric motor cleaner did the job. I took the starter apart to investigate the brushes and imediately noticed the starter was absolutely filthy and coted with fine powder from the brushes. See below.

I used a whole can of CRC and cleaned the armature, casing, and brush assembly. Used a little compressed air to dry it good, added some dielectric grease to where the armature shaft rides in the brush housing, reassembled and the noise is gone.

So thanks to all who has helped save me up to $180 for a starter I didn't need. This was really cool being able to do it myself, feel comfortable about doing it, and very cool that I saved a lot of cash to boot.

Now I can order a brush repair kit later this summer and I know it will take only 15mins to replace and I can do it myself. Thanks all!

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Replace my flywheel?

Ok here is an update.

After only 2 trips out, the starter is making the squealing noise again. So would replacing the brushes with a brush kit help? The pictures above make the brushes look like they are in good shape but maybe they are breaking down too easily and creating a ton of dust.

Should I invest in a brush kit or replace the starter. I don't have a local place that will rebuild a marine starter for a reasonable price. I'm better off buying a new one around $180.