Early 80s Evinrude... Starter/Solenoid Help

brettagostini · #1 July 7th, 2004, 02:31 PM

Hi. I'm totally ignorant about engines, but I've inherited this boat and am trying to get it running.

The engine is a 140 Evinrude Supersport. I believe the year is 82 or 83... pretty close to that anyway. The boat was running at the end of last year. It was NOT winterized correctly. Just parked.

When I tried to start the motor this year it did start. But it stalled and had to be restarted a few times. (Not suprising with a non-winterized engine.) However, it began not starting after a few start-stall cycles. Now it almost starts but then I get a "whine." Just the whine.

So I took off the cover and watched. Along the port, forward side of the engine is a vertical, cylindrical assembly that I'm assuming is the starter motor. On top of this is a small, yellow gear, I'll call the starter gear. When the ignition is turned, a solenoid click is heard, and the starter gear pops up, engages with the main gear on top and spins it. But it only stays up for a split second. It turns the main gear perhaps 180 degrees at most. It drops back down again, disengaging from the main gear before it gets a chance to really turn the engine over.

However, once it drops down, it usually continues to spin for another second or two (that is the "whine" I was hearing.) Also, where the shaft of the starter gear enters the starter motor housing, I believe I saw a few whips of smoke trailing up after the spinning gear finally stopped.

First... did my explanation make sense?

Second... is there a relatively easy way to fix this? (i.e. Buy a new widget for $15 and replace the old, worn out widget.)

Thanks for any help you can give. My children are nagging me to get the boat running!!!

ezeke · #2 July 7th, 2004, 03:59 PM

You explanation is excellent. Here is what I would do:

1. check the battery cables: they have to be free of corrosion and firmly connected; after attempting to start, feel the battery end and if they are hot, you may need to replace the cables;

2. check the battery: you need a marine deep cycle battery and it should be fully charged; the bigger the better;

3. check all wiring between the battery and the starter: trace the wiring, remove and clean all connections;

4. Clean the shaft and gear on the starter with WD40 and then lubricate with machine oil.

DJ · #3 July 7th, 2004, 04:00 PM

Brett,

Seversal things will cause your symptoms.

1. Make sure the battery is FULLY charged.

2. Remove the Positive and Negative cables from the engine and the battery and clean the connections at BOTH ends. Pay special attention top the area where the negative cable attaches to the engine block.

3. Lube the shaft that you see that gear going up and down on. You can do this by "walking" the gear up the shaft with your fingers. It will only turn one way. Spray with WD-40 while doing that.

ob · #4 July 7th, 2004, 04:04 PM

Pay partiucular attention to all of the ground lugs on the engine block.They are prone to crusty connections.Not good to crank a starter motor repeatedly anyway.A healthy one will get hot.

brettagostini · #5 July 7th, 2004, 05:17 PM

Excellent. (Hey Ob... how're things in Corpus? I used to live in Portland back about ten years ago. Loved that area!)

Here's more info which I left out, which may help you help me. The battery (which is a marine deep cycle)was almost dead. I was cranking the engine via jumper cables from my van.

Is this not good? Should I pull it and take it to be charged , rather than jump it like this?

Also,

Quote:

1. check the battery cables: they have to be free of corrosion and firmly connected; after attempting to start, feel the battery end and if they are hot, you may need to replace the cables;

The terminals were VERY hot after cranky via the jumper cables. Should I buy new cables or try cleaning the ones I have first ?

So, unless you all have any more advice for me, I'm off to the lake tomorrow to do the following:

1. Remove and clean cable connections at battery and engine.

2. Clean starter shaft and screw with WD40. Lube it with 3-1 oil.

3. I will attempt to trace, disconnect, clean and reconnect all wiring between the battery and the starter. (although that scares me!)

I'll let you know what comes of it!

ob · #6 July 7th, 2004, 05:31 PM

Sounds like a plan Brett.Jumper cables don't make real good.Easy to lose 12 volts.

Things down here in Corpus and Portland are good.Don't hear from locals too much on here.Funny thing,my brother now lives in Pa.He's coming down to look at some property in the hopes of moving back and we've got a few surprises in store for him in Portland on his B-day.

Hope you make out good with the starting issue.

ezeke · #7 July 7th, 2004, 05:49 PM

I don't like jumping a marine motor, although the local dealer does it all of the time. I use a maintenance charger to keep the batteries charged up. So you might want to get the battery charged and see if you can find a maintenance charger - maybe Sears has one.

Some times the cables are corroded where you cannot see the damage so you are on your own with that one. If you can't get marine battery cables locally, heavy duty diesel cables are the best choice.

I use a couple of oversized stainless steel washers on top of the connection at the battery, and tighten the wing nuts with pliers BEFORE energizing.

OB's comment on the grounding is especially important.

brettagostini · #8 July 9th, 2004, 06:25 PM

You guys are my heroes!!!

Disconnected and cleaned and WD40'ed all connections at battery and at engine, including the small cable between the Solenoid and the starter motor. WD40'ed the shaft on the starter gear... and she started!!

Of course, the engine is running like crappola, since it wasn't winterized, but hey... progress!!!

Thanks tons guys. If you feel so inclined, you can help me out some more at EARLY 80S EVINRUDE-NOT WINTERIZED-HELP topic.

Thanks again!!