Starter screaching, 170 Merc

[paperdesk]

Hi, I have the infamous 170 Merc. She started up pretty hard first time this season, but ran fine for about 20 min. Then I brought her in. Took the boat out again a few days later and it screached horribly the first time I turned the starter. It did start and seemed to run fine, with no obvious signs of trouble. I didn't find any water in the oil. I'm not sure what it's supposed to run, but the oil pressure did seem a little high then came down as it warmed up (also seems fairly normal to me, physics, but . . .).

When I stopped the boat and went to start it again it did the same thing. Horrible noise then started. Any ideas on what's going on? I'm hoping it's just a problem with the starter but I'm waiting for the rain to stop to pull the starter, and hoping someone will chime in with advice meanwhile.

Thanks,

Ted

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Pull the starter and get it check. When you pull it off, look for rust around the Bendix

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Ok, Don, will do, if it ever stops raining . . . btw, that starter looks huge, but I'm guessing it's because it's got a sealed housing? Hoping to get to it tonight or tomorrow.

Ted

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

My starter acted the same way last summer, increasing frequency of the squealing noise upon trying to start. I pulled it and had it rebuilt by a local alternator/starter repair guy and saved at least half price of a new starter. No problems at all now.

Joe

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

My starter acted the same way last summer, increasing frequency of the squealing noise upon trying to start. I pulled it and had it rebuilt by a local alternator/starter repair guy and saved at least half price of a new starter. No problems at all now.

Joe

Glad to hear it worked out ok for you. I wasn't sure if it could be rebuilt, so that's good news. It's stopped raining now, so I'm hoping to pull it after I get off work today.

Ted

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

I got the starter pulled last night. Now I'm trying to figure out if I should just take it straight to a mechanic, or if there is some way can know if it's the problem for sure. I don't mind disassembling it if that will help, but I'll be honest, at this point I wouldn't know what to look for. There is a little rust in places, not bad (none on the bendix just housing).

Ted

 

[Maclin]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Many parts stores have testing stands for starters (Pep Boys, Autozone, O'Reilly's, NAPA, etc.).

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

I don't mind disassembling it if that will help, but I'll be honest, at this point I wouldn't know what to look for.

Ayuh,.... Then Don't take it Apart,....

The Labor Bill for a Pile of Parts is usually 4 times that of a repair of a Whole Unit.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Don't just take it to a mechanic, take it to a Starter and Alternator repair facility. They have the tools to rebuild one properly a lot cheaper than a regular mechanic can fix it.

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Thank you for the advice all. I took it into Advance Auto parts, and had them test it (since it was free). The guy said it needed to be greased, and sent me off, didn't even try to sell me a new one. Any thoughts on that diagnosis? I am about 2 hrs away from a place that rebuilds starters for a living, and I only get there about once a month, and have already used up my visit for this month. However, there are several good marine mechanics around.

Ever hear of a lack of grease causing this? Hard to believe that could be it . . .

Ted

P.S. guess the forums were down last night as it wouldn't let me post

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

BTW I started this post mainly to learn, and help others learn. I like to know what causes problems even if I don't have the knowledge and experience to fix them. I KNOW I COULD rebuild a starter, taken the time and instruction, but I also realize that many times, even after the good people here on iboats have helped me figure out the problem, I will still have a qualified mechanic do the actual repair. However, in the process I've learned something, and have become a better boat operator in the process, as I'm more in tune with what the engine is doing. So, thank you all for your help and comments!

Ted

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Simply lack of grease sounds like BS to me. have it checked over by either the marine mechanic or someone who specialized in alternator/starters. You might find another starter repairman by asking at a auto parts dealer, NAPA, or something like that. They usually know who is around town that can do that. Good luck.

Joe

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Simply lack of grease sounds like BS to me. have it checked over by either the marine mechanic or someone who specialized in alternator/starters. You might find another starter repairman by asking at a auto parts dealer, NAPA, or something like that. They usually know who is around town that can do that. Good luck.

Joe

I'll take r in today if I can Will post back with what they find!

Ted

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

I made arrangements to drop off the starter on Friday after the shop was closed, but couldn't find the shop at the address listed. I don't know if they moved or what. Of course no one was answering the phone cause it was closed. I didn't have time to look around much cause I was on the way to a friends graduation. Guess I'll try again this week whenever I can manage to get into town.

Ted

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

So I got the starter into the shop and once they had it apart you could see the armature was broken! Wow, no wonder I had problems. They said it would cost more in labor and parts to rebuild it than it's worth, and recommended I get a rebuilt one they had for $169. So, that's what I've done, for better or for worse! Now, I'm looking for a wiring charte to hook the starter back up (yes I KNEW I'd remember how it was wired). Any links to this info?

I have two orange, two red and one black that all have large terminal connecters. The black I believe goes to a support bracket. Rest go to the center post
I have one yellow/red that I believe goes to the S poll and has a small terminal connecter. I'm thinking something should go to the R terminal post but not sure what as I'm out of wires.

Any ideas? I know I should have labled them when I removed them . . .

Ted

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Ayuh,.....

You haven't mentioned the Year of this ole 470,...
But,..
This is the Factory Manual for the 85/ 89 470s.....

Good Luck,... It might be a Large File, give it time to load...
It should have All the Info you'll ever need.....

 

[paperdesk]

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Wow, that is one big file! I had some trouble getting it downloaded, but it's here now. I know I'll find this helpful in a number of ways! I've been searching for one of these manuals either printed or for download for a while and didn't come up anything, so thank you very much!

My boat is an '86 btw.

Looks like I got it wired up right and everything running again!

Thanks all,

Ted

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Re: Starter screeching, 170 Merc

Ayuh,....

I hope you Saved a copy to your harddrive,.....

Good Luck,+ Have Fun.....

 

[Tom Sherwood]

Re: Starter screaching, 170 Merc

Low battery juice can burn up the starter too. Keep the cranking to a minimum and keep the batteries on trikle charge when in storage. Glad to see you got it goin

Cheers,