Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

P

pootytang

Recruit
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
3
I recently purchased an 84 Wellcraft w/ a 4.3l Omc..It is my understanding that this was not the original motor.
Engine won't start. When I turn the key it sounds like the starter solenoid just spins.
I am a complete newby to boating but am mechanically inclined. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,506
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

Ayuh,... So Pull the Starter,+ Inspect/ bench test it...
 
havasuboatman

havasuboatman

Ensign
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Mar 5, 2009
Messages
904
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

pootytang said:
I recently purchased an 84 Wellcraft w/ a 4.3l Omc..It is my understanding that this was not the original motor.
Engine won't start. When I turn the key it sounds like the starter solenoid just spins.
I am a complete newby to boating but am mechanically inclined. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Uh, the starter solonoid doesn't spin. It just slides the starter moter gear into the flywheel gear. Sounds like yours ain't up to the task.
Follow Bondo's advice. Yank it, test it or have it tested.
 
J

Jeepster04

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
481
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

Are you hearing the starter spin or the solenoid kick in?
 
dontask

dontask

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
177
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

BEFORE you pull the starter make sure you have fully charged battery, if not fully charged--- start at the battery issue first. Check that the battery has good clean connections to the solenoid, also.
 
P

pootytang

Recruit
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
3
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

Thanks you guys. I finally pulled the starter and found that the Aluminum housing was completely sheared off. I don't know what could have caused this but I did notice that the bolts were not on very tight. Defective starter? Bad install? I'll soon find out. Thanks again for the help!
 
M

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Virgin Boat Owner Needs Help

Welcome to iboats! :)


I have to drop the other shoe now :(....that can happen to a starter if the engine or drive is siezed up hard and the battery and starter were pretty stout when someone tried to start it.

I am not saying this is your problem, but be ready to do some troubleshooting. You should remove all spark plugs and try to turn the engine manually, optionally squirt PB Blaster or Seafoam Deep Creep into the spark plug holes if you suspect it may have been this way for a while. If it will not budge then you will need to remove the drive and try manually again just to see if it is the engine or drive that is not turning.
 
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