1997 Force 120 /Hard to Turn Over????

[Imissedem]

Just wondering where i should go and what to do.......Motor does not want to turn over/ But take the plugs out and no problem/ I did try an 850cca battery and she really struggles.The starter that was on it was junk/ so i took my chances on a used one from another iboats member but did not seem to do the trick.If i do a compression test on it and all is good/where next/ afraid to spend 180 on new starter if it is not the problem.Can i have the starter tested???????

[jerryjerry05]

Those starters are real easy to take apart.Do that and look at the insides.Sometimes they get dirt and crap in the brushes.
Clean the stuff and check the brushes for sticking,J

[xstoyz]

John,

Good to meet you the other day. I'm sorry the starter didn't solve your problem. The next step I would take from here is checking the cables, even the small cable that goes from the relay to the starter. Wire brush the ends so they are clean bare metal. They should be complete with no breaks in the sheathing and they should feel pliable. There should be no sections that are drastically stiffer then the rest. This may indicated corrosion inside the fibers of the cable. Also check the grounds on the engine block from the battery cable as well as the grounds/mounting of the starter. all should be cleaned to bare metal.

Also, Do the compression test. You will learn alot about the motor and help determine if you should in fact keep messing with it or not.

One other thing as a reminder. since you are turning over the engine alot without plugs. I hope you have been at least grounding the leads or completly shutting down the ignition system. That is a really good way to burn out the ignition on these motors if the engine is spun without grounded leads.

Regards,
Ed