What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

[bigbassbrent]

I have a 1992 2.6 Liter (175HP) 60* Looper Evinrude outboard (175GLENC).

Before I start the motor I pump the oil and gas bulbs to prime the engine. Then I push the key in and hold it for 2 seconds and then turn the key to start the engine. I hear 3 distinct sound from the engine. The first is EEEhhhhhhhHHHHHhhhhhhHHHHHhhhh. The second sound I hear is the motor turning over and trying to start. And the third sound is the motor running.

Can someone explain what these 3 sounds are?

Because last weekend the engine didn't want to start. I heard the first sound (ehhhh) as long as I had the key turned. I never heard the motor trying to turn over. I repumped the gas ball, and tried again but the motor wouldn't turn over and jsut made the eeehhHHHhhhhhhHHHHH noise.

I waited for an hour and then I heard all 3 sounds. I had this situation happen 2 times out of like 20 attempts to start the engine. I'm trying to determine what is "wearing out". Is this just a flooded engine??? A weak battery??? A bad starter??? What the heck is a (dirty) bendix?

Thanks
Brent

 

[kynolan2183]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

The first sound your are hearing is the priming system releasing the pressurized fuel in to the carbs. Once you do that then you should find that the primer bulb is no longer firm.

I don't start my that way because I find that I flood the engine more often than not.

Turn the key to start while pressing in. This will cause it to squirt gas into the carbs as the motor turns over. The fuel pumps are a vacuum type and work when the pistons are moving.

Second thing I do is not the raise the fast idle lever until it pops. Once it pops I raise the lever and she starts right up.

I use the butterflies as a choke plate since my motor has none. This causes the air moving through the carbs to have a higher velocity and atomize the fuel better.

Kyle

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

the eee is the alarm system testing itself. i don't know where the previous poster got his info, but it is wrong. turn the key on, let the alarm sound, then push in on the key and turn to start at the same time, with the idle lever all the way up. if the motor does not start, release the key, and try just turning the key not pushing in. the motor does not have choke butterflies, as the primer solenoid, replaced them.

 

[ezeke]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

The first sound that you hear may be caused by the starter not getting enough power from the battery initially. I would carefully check the battery cables and the connections at both ends. Feel the terminals and the cable for heat, which will tell you where the resistance is.

The starter pinion on your starter is hidden by a cover, but the shaft needs to be cleaned and lubricated with very light machine oil periodically.

The fuel pump on your engine fills the float bowls, but it is the movement of the pistons that creates the vacuum that pulls the fuel from there through the carburetors to the engine. The fuel pump does not push fuel through the carburetors.

Pushing the key in essentially bypasses the carburetors and sends fuel directly to the intake. It is supposed to be done while cranking, not before.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

ok, let's get something straight - first you said it sounds like "EEEhhhhhhhHHHHHhhhhhhHHHHHhhhh", the second time you described it as "eeehhHHHhhhhhhHHHHH"

never mind that. but seriously, have we really identified that noise? does the first noise start when you turn the key on, when you push it in, or when you turn it to start? does it happen on warm starts too, or just cold starts when you use the push-to-prime?

Can you identify the location of the noise? Could it be from a piezo buzzer in the control box? Or is it under the cowl?

kinda sounds to me (in my imagination, of course) more like a starter motor spinning without the bendix engaged.

most common causes of that: starter not spinning up quickly enough due to either inadequately charged or failing battery or corroded or loose battery cables, or dirty bendix, or else worn out starter in need of rebuild.

kynolen has something that works for him, I won't try to persuade him to change, but.......on my old-school choke plate motor, the hi-idle lever advances the spark all the way, and opens the throttles only a little - strikes me as more favorable conditions for a cold start. Is it the same with those hi-tech newfangled primers? Choke plates work so dang well I don't know why they ever dropped 'em.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

I agree with Jtexas, that "EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" sound, in my own imagination anyways, sounds like it is the starter motor attempting to crank the flywheel.

I would go over all connections with a file or sandpaper, and make them shine! This is for the battery, solenoid, and starter. Check all wiring for nicks, cuts, abrasions, or crunching when you flex it, and replace as needed. Voltage drop testing is an accurate way to determine if their is a voltage loss in the system somewhere.

BTW, the bendix is the spiralled shaft that comes from within your starter to spin your flywheel. As stated, oil it periodically with a light machine oil, sewing machine oil is ideal, or something like 3 in 1.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

that's true didn't think about the starter.

 

[bigbassbrent]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

Thanks for all the input guys.

To address your replies...

kynolan- Once I pump the gas ball it is solid, but after trying to start the engine I checked it again and it wasn't solid, but a little squishy. So it appears that the priming system is working as it should.

tashasdaddy-I think the eeehhhh sound translated a little different for us. The eeeehhhhhh isn't the alarm "horn". The alarm horn sounds and shuts off quickly (like one honk) but the eeeeeehhhhhhhheheheeehehehehehhh lasts until the engine tries to turn over. And if the engine doesn't turn over I here the EEEEHHHHH the whole time the key is turned to the cranking position.

ezeke-I was thinking what you mentioned, checked the battery for water and charge and all was aok, but I didn't check the cables for heat and I'll check them!!! To avoid possible flooding I'll do as you say and push the key in while the engine is turning over (if needed) and not before cranking the engine. I could swear that the manual said push in before cranking but what you mentioned makes more sense to push in only while cranking and not before.

jtexas- To help define when I hear EEEHHHH. It is only when the key is turned to start/crank the engine. Not the horn sound when I turn the key on. Not when I push the key in(I don't here any noise when I push the key in).

The sound happened after trying a cold start and once with a "cool" start. Has not happened with a hot start.

The location of the noise is from the engine and not the control box.

Like you and ezeke mention I'll check the cables and dirty bendix and if that doesn't help, address the starter.

Hightrim- you and jtexas seem to agree and I'll do as you advise

Now I just have to find the bendix and the starter. Perhaps I can find a picture on google.

Maybe I could make sure the noise is the starter motor/bendix by blocking the bendix from contacting the flywheel, crank the motor and listen for the noise. On second thought that might cost a friend one of their fingers. I'll just look for dirt/no oil.

Thanks all!!!
Brent

 

[jtexas]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

LOL, maybe your mother-in-law will help out?

It's just inertia that causes the bendix to rise up and engage the flywheel, when the starter suddenly starts spinning the threaded shaft underneath it. So if the starter doesn't accelerate quickly enough, or if the threads are sticky, bendix just turns with the starter. When the engine starts, it spins faster than the starter motor, which screws the bendix back down.

 

[bigbassbrent]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

So I looked for my bendix to lubricate it, but it wasn't obvious to see. I found the starter and figured the bendix is on top of it, but it looks like it is hidden under a sturdy metal cap??? Couldnt even see the flywheel. It is pretty well hidden, too.

Is the bendix readily accessible, or is a bit of engine breakdown required to access it?

Thanks
Brent

 

[Scaaty]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

If its a sequel-shrieking sound, its probably the Bendix going bad. A bendix is only a one way clutch device.
Replaced many on old Harley Shovelheads...(had one that sounded like a jet engine firing up, only the reverse way until it caught)
Don't know if its a seperate item, but a new starter will cure it. Way to tell is pop the hood, have you up close and personal with it (starter), and have someone crank it. If so, you will know it if there a "pig" stuck in there

 

[dimock44]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

In the case of oil on the Bendix shaft less is definetly better. If oil gets into the clutch it will cause it to slip. The oil HighTrim was referring to is to lubricate the shaft for easy movement. I have dried out oily clutches with Naptha and used them for years.

 

[ezeke]

Re: What are these noises that my motor makes before starting???

The working part of your starter is not very complicated. Click the thumbnail to see the parts circled in red. If you know someone who knows about automobile engines, these starters are not much different and they can help you.

As dimock44 indicated, less is good. The important things are [1]clean and [2] no grease.