Volvo Eats Starters

[HoytAdickes]

So I have an ongoing issue with starters in my boat. 2005 Glastron GSX with 4.3 Volvo Penta GL-D.

So late last season starter left us stranded on river. After 15 minutes of screwing with it we got it to start. So this spring I replaced the starter with compatable part number from my local auto electric starter store. Worked great for almost 2 months (every Sunday trips). On August 14 we went to leave sandbar and it started right up. However, I didn't let it warm up before trying to go. So it stalls. During restart it made a god awful grinding sound,but started. Got to trailer, and then home to flush.... Nothing. Bendix just spins, but starter won't engage. Pull starter, and go buy a replacement from auto electric. Now here we are two weeks later diagnosing a cooling issue. Starts up no problem. Shut engine down, five minutes later try restart God awful grind. Leave boat. Come back next day.... Starts up with a slight grind. Let run for awhile diagnosing cooling.... Shut off ignition..... Try to restart..... Bendix spin no engage. WTF? Any ideas?

 

[HoytAdickes]

Part number for OEM starter is 3885317. Compatible unit I have been buying (tomorrow will be #3) is part number 6792N

 

[Grub54891]

If it's from a auto store, how do you know if it's spark protected? It should be a marine starter. Also, are they selling you an aftermarket rebuilt in China part? I'd bet you go oem, it will keep working, if the flywheel isn't chewed up from the previous grinding.
I've been down that road. You get what you pay for.

 

[gbeltran]

Unless you buy an original Delco starter it will probably need to be shimmed. I try not to get those aftermarket versions unless it's a mini starter from Powermaster. Next time the starter is out check the teeth on the gear, have someone rotate the engine all the way around. Since you say it's got an overheat issue the next thing I'd look at are the exhaust manifolds. When they rot out they leak water into the cylinders, causing all kinds of issues, starting and eating starters and the ring gear being a couple.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Buy delco or Arco or Prestolite

Shim as required

Check your cables for corrosion

 

[HoytAdickes]

I'm gonna go with the non OEM thinking. It is a marine starter they sell that I'm buying, but he did tell me they don't like getting wet. I found a broken vent hose that was allowing rain water to drip down that side of the engine. That could be getting starter wet. I also did just pressure wash my engine and bilge. So again it could be that. Overheat issue is temp sensor. The motor itself is not overheating . It stays a cool 150°. So that eliminates manifold leaks, and bilge is always dry. Flywheel teeth are just fine. Checked them when I pulled starter yesterday. Guess I'll buy one if the above listed starters, and try that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

6792N is a "duralast" starter from AutoZone. read that as off-shore brand, I believe Valeo made in poland

you still need to shim the starter as required, i believe the spec is .020 clearance between pinion tooth and ring gear tooth

also, make sure all your cable connections are clean. a bad connection will cause issues.

 

[HoytAdickes]

6792N is a "duralast" starter from AutoZone. read that as off-shore brand, I believe Valeo made in poland

you still need to shim the starter as required, i believe the spec is .020 clearance between pinion tooth and ring gear tooth

also, make sure all your cable connections are clean. a bad connection will cause issues.

Really? Duralast really? This comes from a store called Auto Electric. All they do is starters and alternators. That's messed up. No wonder it's junk.

Shim really? All I've ever read said to not shim motors built after 1994 on these motors

Connections are good to go. Definitely checked those first, but this is totally mechanical issue not electrical.

 

[Scott Danforth]

year of manufacture has nothing to do with shimming. its a requirement on most motors. if the pinion tooth is too close, the pinion will bind and get stuck, thus taking out the starter nose, or it may just mill the side of the ring gear.