Starter bolts

[tdata]

I have a 1995 Four Winns 170, 3.0L OMC Cobra. There has been a loud intermittent noise, at start-up, that sounds like a metallic chirpping or what a car's metal fan would sound like if it hits as it goes around. Goes away when driven. The shop looked at it and told me there are bolts that hold the starter in (starter replaced 2 years ago at other shop) and one of them sheared off (with the bolt stuck in the block) so the noise is due to the starter not being held in place properly. Told me it could ruin the starter, and drive ring? that connects to engine. Fix is to remove the engine, turn upside down, and drill out the bolt so the starter can be correctly attached (since they can't get to it). I asked if any other way to stabilize starter and they didn't think so. Does this sound like the right and only fix (at $700-$800 labor)? A friend referred me to this shop (first time here for me), so I believe it is reputable, but needed a reality check on this. Thanks much.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter bolts

Yep, they are pretty much right, but I wouldn't just turn the gear over. For all the work it takes, just replace the ring gear. Napa carries them.

 

[tdata]

Re: Starter bolts

Thank you, I appreciate your response.

When you mentioned you wouldn't just turn the gear over, but replace it, is turning the drive gear over something they need to do to remove the engine? You are basically saying to do this preventive maintenance while the engine is out? Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter bolts

I think when I first read it, I thougt it said they were going to turn the ring gear on the flywheel over. Don't ask me how I did that, I just re-read it and it doesn't say that at all.
But I would have them check the ring gear on the flywheel. Usually a loose starter will chip the ends of the teeth off the ring gear and the starter bendix. Then when you change the starter, it kills another bendix, after so long the ring gear finally gets replaced.
You will have the engine out to replace the starter bolt. Pull the flywheel off and replace the ring gear if there is ANY noticable damage, or you will be pulling the engine again to replace it.
Depending on which starter you have, there is a bracket on some that mounts on the forward part of the starter and bolts to the block for support.
Also make sure they use NEW starter bolts. The knurles on the new bolts cut down on the slop between the bolt and the starter. OF course, if the starter mount holes are wallered out of round, and the bendix is damaged, you need a new starter too.