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| Name: |
Dippin Skinny
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| Subject: |
Think I'm in need of a starter rebuild
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Date:
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1/23/2012 12:01:13 PM
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i have a 2001 Mercruiser 3.0 liter that i believe is in need of starter maintenance. Ever since i bought her in 2008 it seems to have a slow cranking speed. i've put in a new battery, and replaced the capacitor between the battery and the starter, but compared to other starters both auto and marine, it seems to be laboring to do its job. Unfortunately this is not car talk so i can't make the sound to bring about hysterical laughter and misdiagnosis! But based on my description and the age of the starter is a rebuild in order? And if so, any recommendations on where to take it?
Thanks,
Steve
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Think I'm in need of a starter rebuild
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Date:
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1/23/2012 12:10:20 PM
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I believe NAPA will send off a marine starter for rebuild.
If you are anywhere close to Bham, call Southern Armature Services, if they cannot rebuild, if not, they will know who can.
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Think I'm in need of a starter rebuild
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Date:
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1/23/2012 12:14:52 PM (updated 1/23/2012 12:23:58 PM)
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you can buy a brand new replacement on on ebay for under $60 (with free shipping). Install is easy, but may take a slight contortionist maneuver on some boats.
you could also have a solenoid or relay problem...if not handy with that stuff, take it over to the Cathouse.
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| Name: |
John C
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| Subject: |
agreed on Cathouse
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Date:
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1/23/2012 12:35:42 PM
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this will sound like a broken record on this forum, but Cathouse Marine rebuilt my entire engine ( 02 Mercruiser) - manifolds, etc, and put in a new starter, but only after he confirmed that I needed one. Highly recommended.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
agreed on Cathouse
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Date:
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1/23/2012 1:05:20 PM
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Thanks for the refferal guys. And your business. 3.0 ltrs typically sound like they are laboring a little when starting. Don't by a $60 starter either. There is a reason it is $60, and a lifetime warranty dont mean chit when it is dang near impossible to install. I'll be glad to listen to you make those funny noises if you want to call me, Dippin' Skinny. Office # is 334-358-2838. And, I don't blame you for not tryin' to spell them. .
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I put one on my old Harris a few years back and paid $49; worked perfect 2 1/2 years later when I sold the boat, and it was easy to install. I too was skeptical, but figured 50 bucks was no big deal and worth a shot. That said, I knew the issue was a starter problem....not hard to diagnose when the bilge pump doesn't kick on and the starter gets filled up with water. Sounds like Dippin may have other issues (or no real problem at all) that should be addressed by the Cathouse professionals.
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| Name: |
Dippin Skinny
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| Subject: |
Peace of Mind
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Date:
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1/23/2012 4:04:29 PM
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I guess it's mainly for my own peace of mind that I want to have it checked out. I already had the alternator rebuilt, replaced the Trim Up Solenoid, and will be replacing theTrim Down next (it has started to ignore me in a couple of areas). So I'll give you a call here in the next week or so and arrange to bring it over for a crank with fresh battery and gas relatively settled away from the Carb. I have the biggest issue with it on initial start ups, after that she cranks right back up and there is no issue at all. Anything I can do to keep from turning the key and hearing nothing but the fish swimming around.
Thanks to all who replied!
Steve
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/23/2012 4:36:58 PM
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Are you sure you have a good ground connection? Starting takes a lot of current and a less-than-pefect ground connection might pass a garden hose worth of electrons when you really need a fire hose worth. May be some corrosion limiting the current flow.
But I also agree with everyone else about CAT. He works on my boats and I've always been very pleased.
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| Name: |
HP HQ
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/24/2012 9:07:34 AM
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The 3.0 liters are notorios for the intake/exhaust manifold to crack internally and spill water in the engine. Upon next start up, take the spark plugs out and turn her over and make sure you dont have water in one or more of the cylinders. You say that after you get her running that she starts fine after that, so please check this first. Also in my opinion,Merc starters hands down are the only way to go, the others are nothing but trouble.
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| Name: |
Dippin Skinny
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/24/2012 10:32:53 AM
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Now THAT was totally uncalled for!!!!! This is supposed to be a simple discussion about a lazy starter, and now I have water in the motor!!!!! LOL and Wah Wah at the same time!
SO.....if what you are speculating is correct, when would the water be allowed into the chambers? This past summer I stored the boat in a facility at the lake, so I never drained the block between uses. Prior to that I stored the boat in my garage and always drained the block prior to hitting the highway to tow it home. Regardless of the way the boat was stored (block full, block empty) the first crank of the day is pretty much the same.
Let me describe the first crank of the day a little better. I estimate as much as 5-7 seconds of cranking and maybe a second try before the motor turns over. I assume this to be due to the mechanical fuel pump and that maybe it takes this long for the pump to bring gas into the chambers to get the motor to turn over the first time. After that I barely have to turn the key and she turns right over. It's during this 5-7 seconds where I feel that the starter should be providing a stronger push. I dont really have anything to compare it with except my truck starter and the way I hear my friend's boats (none are 3.0s) crank up. If water was enterring the equation wouldn't any period of rest be long enough to let water in? I sit for hours between starts sometimes but don't have any problems. Curious Aint IT?????
I do give some credence to the earlier post on the negative ground. Rarely, but sometimes, I have to loosen, move, and then retighten the ground wires on the battery terminal to restore electricity. I guess that could indicate a wire going bad, but my wires are still factory attached to the hull so the only play is right at the battery.
So there you go! I guess maybe someone with experience could give it a listen and either call me crazy or recommend some further investigation. I had it converted from high altitude last January and it wasn't discussed as an issue at that time, so maybe it's just me.
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| Name: |
HP HQ
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/24/2012 12:39:05 PM
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Sorry to have offended, or upset you, but from your earlier post, it sounded as if the starter was having a hard time turning the motor over the first crank of the day. The 3.0 have an intake/exhaust manifold that is prone to crack due to the extreme temp changes inside the manifold. WHat will happen is that the crack will be fairly small and over the course of days the water will slowly fill the exhaust or intake depending on where the crack is located, find an open valve and start to weep into the cylinder. I literally cant count how many I have seen do this. I was simply offering a suggestion so you wouldnt be chasing your tail in a circle. The first symptom of this is a starter that sounds faulty or a weak battery, but in reality the motor is trying to hydolock. Just trying to help, but I guess my help is not wanted here.
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| Name: |
Dippin Skinny
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/24/2012 2:45:29 PM
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You must have overlooked the laughing and crying part of my reply. That's what I hate about typed communication, you miss out on all the blatant sarcasm. Rest assured, I do want to hear all the might be's, I just might not necessarily like the financial sounds of some of them ;). I appreciate the feedback because it helps me learn. And maybe this summer we'll meet up for a cold Amber one hot afternoon and see who can keep a straight face the longest......Cheers!
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| Name: |
HP HQ
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| Subject: |
Here's a WAG
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Date:
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1/24/2012 3:03:44 PM
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I couldnt agree more about the missed communication or the brew, but to make you feel better, a manifold is near the price of a starter, so not a major investment if needed! Let us know what you find? Jeff
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