~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

[camarostripes96]

Ok well i have a 1997 bayliner capri with a 5.7L 350 V8, and when its at the house or im putting in the lake it cranks up right off the bat, well after running the lake for a bit i can park it and get back in and go to crank it and it barely turns over like the battery is dead and finally just clicks click clicks, and then i can let it sit for an hour or so and let it cool off and crank it up and it fires right up finally.....
The battery is brand new, done tried 3 new batterys on it so thats not the problem
The alternator checked out perfect and works good
u can here the starter trying to engage its a loud clicking so its getting plenty of juice to the starter, but could the starter be lagging or worn out?
cause like i said after it cools for a bit it will crank right up but once the engine heats up and i crank it its just barely will turn over and finally stop clicking like the battery is dead or something but its not the battery.
Can anyone help me on this on what it could be i am stumped???
thanks for the helo

 

[MikDee]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

What does it show on the Ammeter when running normally? It could just be a loose fanbelt, if it's not charging enough? Or, one of these two things,

1) The starter is on the way out, and it's drawing to much amps when hot.

2) The timing is too far advanced, this also can cause it to be hard to crank when hot.

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

well whenever its at home in the backyard i can crank it and it fires right up and even when i am docking the boat if fires right up...but whenever its warm its just like whump.....whump......whump....... click.....click.....click....
u can hear the starter trying to engage cause its getting plenty of juice to it but acts like the starteer is dragging ....could it be a bad starter, are those the signs of a bad starter?

 

[MikDee]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Did you check the alternator belt like I said? With the engine off, grab the alternator pulley by hand, and try to turn it, if it moves,,, It's too loose, then you're not charging your battery, tighten it up. If not then you need to put an amp meter on the starter when hot, to see if it's drawing too many amps, that's the only way I know of testing it in the boat,,, Otherwise, take it out and have it tested at Pep boys, or any other auto, or marine, supply that does this.

You haven't messed with the timing, have you?

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

no i have not messed with the timing at all, and the alternator pulley belt and all is working perfect and all tight, , like i said once it cools down it fires right up, and even whenever i wont crank the gauge say almost 13 volts and battery and alternator checks out fine

 

[Bondo]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Ayuh,....
It Could be the starter is wearing out,....
It Could be just dirty corroded wiring ends,...
It Could be an exhaust manifold Leak,causing a hydro-lock...

I'd start with the Wiring,.... A Bad Ground will sometimes act like that....

 

[kamby]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Sounds like you have a tired starter, possibly needs to be rebuilt, or look into your slenoid, does it get hot running the engine around for a while, remember the battery cable connects to the solenoid and the charging wire connects to the solenoid to charge the battery. If it gets overly hot then somethings screwy. Its metal so its gonna absorb some of the heat. Also check for bad grounds and wiriring too.

Could be the internals are breaking down with heat. Either way yard the starter out and have it tested. If its anything like the 350 i had to take a starter out of a bayliner quatermaster its a very big starter, and the top part of the starter is very tight tolerances, we replaced the starter but had to have the old top of the starter put on the new body.


Edit: You may want to take it to a shop that specializes in starter/altenator rebuilds and have them crack the case open, i've seen them 1/2 way work sometimes and when it was cracked open it was full of rust, turned out to be the problem with the starter on the quater master.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

You are experiencing a problem called hot soaking which causes the starter and solenoid to absorb engine heat. Heat can aggrevate a tired starter/solenoid. In fact this can be an issue with perfectly good starters. There are heat shields that can reflect manifold heat from the starter. Bad cable connections can also create problems on a warm engine since a warm engine is harder to start than a cold one. Clicking of the solenoid is an indication that it is not getting a full dose of voltage so stick a voltmeter on the solenoid when the problem crops up and have someone crank the engine. Bets it drops to nearly zip at the starter terminal. The place to start is the battery cables -- both ends. And just looking at them is not a solution. Disconnecting them, cleaning them, thorough inspection of the terminal ends and reconnection is required and there are two ends to each cable so do both ends.

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

well i alreayd replaced the ground wire so thats not the problem, and the positive wire looks good for what i can tell!! i am goin to pull the starter off today but it looks like a pain in the a** to get off, so i am gonna spend my evening prezling my arm inside the tight quarters and see if i can get it off and gonna take it to alternator/starter shop ! has anyone ever took one of these off and are they hard to get too?

i have another question, would a basic starter for like a vehicle with a 350 work? i have been told yes and i have been told no at the same time,...so does anyone know the real answer lol?

 

[kamby]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Yes they are hard to muscle out, but according to the website there not as heavy as the one i delt with being 25lbs. If memory serves there 2 bolts holding it on.

Tell the shop what u told us, it doesnt work when hot and works when cold. That way they should open the case up and look at the windings.

Dont go with an auto starter the marine ones are designed for a couple things one is spark prevention, corosion inhibitor, and the marine batteries usually have more umph to them vs a regular vehicle battery. Plus if the coast guard ever checks you, im sure they'll notice.

 

[hoot]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

if you go with an automobile starter, you might be the third boat explosion that i know about this year!!

 

[MikDee]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Maybe you can get yours rebuilt

 

[bustermin]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

I would avoid using an automotive starter, as they are built for cars/trucks. there is a reason they sell "Marine" starters, and that is because they are designed to be around a wet/humid enviroment (just because you can use an automotive starter doesnt mean you should). before pulling the starter I would check the voltage when you are having the problem at the solenoid on the terminals before it enters the solenoid, this will help determine if your "hot" cable is failing, if somone put a regular cable on and not a "Tinned" cable, it may be corroded internally and you cant see it, and corrosion is a big amp theif, which you may have discoverd by everyone telling you to check all electrical connections. and in my opinion, any part that you are removing and is hard to R/R is better off replaced even if its not bad. so, if your gonna go to all the trouble to pull the starter out, dont bother putting it back in even if it's good, just replace it, other wise in a few months or so you might end up pulling it again, why not just eliminate it from the equation and give yourself a little piece of mind since youve gone thru the trouble of the R/R. if you do pull the starter, open it up and look at the brushes, if they are corroded, just replace the starter. if you decide to just have it rebuilt, make sure they rebuild it with "Marine" components. Good Luck

 

[cr2k]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

When using the wing nut posts the battery cable goes on first with any other misc. wires going on top of that. This insures that you get the most out of the battery to the starter.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

If you are using wing nuts, throw them away and put on self locking stainless steel nuts.

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

well i am not using wing nuts they are on the post with new post clamps and wires to the ground and to the starter so thats not the problem! i am getting off work in 2 hours and gonna go home and pull the starter off and take it to get it checked. I will probably get a rebuild more that likely cause a new one is $$$$$$$$ !!! So i am gonna have to make sure that the place i am goin to rebuild it that they use marine grade internals and stuff!! but i will let ya know cause thats my only other thing it could be ya know so im gonna keep my fingers crossed here....ill have to fight the cubby hole that i have to work in to get the starter out, and of course the blower bilge and tube will be in the way have to move it first and then get myself and arms in that hole lol

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

any good ideas on how to get in there and take it off? what size wrech i will need? just trying to save some time

 

[kamby]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

Hard to tell, cant see any specs on it. Not sure what model engine you have other than the 350 there's different types. Found this starter on e-bay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...c0.m245&_trkparms=65:12|39:1|72:1205|240:1318

Volvo #3860764 double check to make sure its the right PN#

9/16'ths would be my guess, but hard to tell.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

If you can take any of the bulkhead off that is around the engine, try to do that. It will make your life easier in the long run.

 

[camarostripes96]

Re: ~~starter Problems? I Dont Know~~

ok well i got the starter off it was only 2 bolts and it wasnt a big starter at all...took it to the part store and got it tested and the starter is shot, they hooked up the machine and put a load on it and it went fast for like 1 second and slowed down and quit and got very hot so FINALLY found the problem!!!
now another question yall said not to use a auto starter , i got to looking at a new one they had there and they look exactly the same, bolt pattern and everything and its alot cheaper, iwas just curious why couldnt u use one? but i am getting it rebuilt today so should be ready in the morning , just wanted to see why an auto starter would not work.