Turning Motor Over?

[YmeHP]

Sorry, i'm new to the whole scene but recently bought a boat at an auction and want to make sure the motor is free. Is it best to put a socket on crankshaft pulley? If so, is there a way to externally tell if the motor has turned or not?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

If you put a socket on the crank and it moves then the motor is turning. You can take the dist cap off and turn the crank. If the rotor turns the motor is turning. If it's locked up you won't be able to turn it with a socket. Why not hook a battery to it and use the starter?

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

my starter is kicking out but not spinning! Wouldn't it grind the hell out of the flywheel if it was stuck? Or is my starter just weak?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Pull the starter off & take it to a shop...
They will tell you if its good or not.....
Pull the sparkplugs & squirt a little oil in the cylinders before trying to spin it....
A wrench on the aforementioned bolt should do it....
IF there are no drive problems.....​

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

I just bought the starter and a solenoid off Ebay and have ran into this latest problem. I got the boat cheap enough that I'm willing to spend the necessary cash on parts but would like to do most of the labor myself and hoping you gentlemen on the board can lead me in the right direction and help a newbie out as much as possible. I did try and turn the motor today as everything sits and it turned a half turn clockwise then got tight. Does this sound right or do I have engine problems? Right now I guess I'm wondering why the starter is kicking out and not spinning. If the motor was stuck wouldn't the starter just grind on the flywheel? Do I have something messed up in my wiring or a new weak starter? Please help!!!

Thanks, Nick

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

A stuck engine will just stop the starter,it may grind if the teeth on the starter or ring gear teeth let go.
Did you pull the spark plugs all out then try to turn it over? Check all your grounds and battery connections are clean and tight? Take a voltage tester and make sure you are getting 12+ volts at the starter.

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Well, I have yet to pull the plugs I will try that tmw. The starter is kicking out and not turning and I was able to only turn the motor a half turn with a socket. If the motor is locked as I'm assuming it will be is going with anything but a mercruiser engine a bad idea? What disadvantages do remanufactured engines have and am I better off rebuilding the current motor and maybe getting more HP for the same price?
-Nick

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Pull the plugs,see if they look rusty.Spray some penetrating oil in the spark plug holes and let it set overnight. Then see what you have. It could be water in the cylinders or just the engine has not turned in so long its stuck.
It is either a GM or Ford based engine...probably a GM.Mercruiser did not make the engine.

 

[kellydee]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

If you didn't pull the plugs,thats why you could only turn it half way.It's building compression in the cylinders.Pull the plugs and she'll turn the rest of the way.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

If you didn't pull the plugs,thats why you could only turn it half way.It's building compression in the cylinders.Pull the plugs and she'll turn the rest of the way.

As a very wise man once said................





Ayuh.

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Thank You, I will play again tmw! I knew I was taking a risk when I purchased this boat at an estate sale but I'm hoping everything turns out ok. The boat had current registration through 3/07' and a recent receipt showing an oil change, 2 new batteries, trim solenoid, wire lead for starter, water pump for the exhaust, and new alternator in 06', Also new sparkplugs, and outdrive oil change in 05'. I'm hoping it was ran last summer and I can get it free again.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

For the record WD40 is not penetrating oil....​

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Marvel Mystery Oil, correct? How much am I expecting to use? I want to make sure I buy enough the first time!

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

I just bought the starter and a solenoid off Ebay and have ran into this latest problem. I got the boat cheap enough that I'm willing to spend the necessary cash on parts but would like to do most of the labor myself and hoping you gentlemen on the board can lead me in the right direction and help a newbie out as much as possible. I did try and turn the motor today as everything sits and it turned a half turn clockwise then got tight. Does this sound right or do I have engine problems? Right now I guess I'm wondering why the starter is kicking out and not spinning. If the motor was stuck wouldn't the starter just grind on the flywheel? Do I have something messed up in my wiring or a new weak starter? Please help!!!

Thanks, Nick

Here's some starter checks from my manual, maybe they'll help you poinpoint your problem. That, and I just gotta play with my new scanner.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Marvel Mystery Oil, correct? How much am I expecting to use? I want to make sure I buy enough the first time!

That will work fine,a couple squirts in each plug whole.or get PB blaster in a spray can..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Ayuh,....... Buy a Quart,.... What's left over can be used later,...........

You've Yet to state Exactly What Engine,+ Drive we're talking about......
Other than it's a Mercruiser.......And it Is rather Important Info for answering your Questions.......

If removing the Sparkplugs Doesn't allow the motor to be Turned Over, with Either a Wrench, or the Starter,...........
Pull the Drive,.................. Then you'll know whether you're fighting a Motor Issue,....
Or a Drive Issue.........

With the Drive Off,+ the Sparkplugs Out,...... The motor should turn over Very Easily.......

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

The boat is a 1988 Larson Senza V-220. It has a 5.7 ltr 350 inboard with a Mercruiser outdrive serial number OB942636, I believe it's a Bravo 1.

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Ok. I pulled the plugs! About a cup or two of anti-freeze came out of the third cylinder from the front of the block on the left hand side (powersteering and alternator side). I again tried turning the motor with my socket and ratchet and was able to turn the motor clockwise but it was very tough. None of the belts were removed and while turning the motor the pulley did not spin nor did the prop if I placed the boat in forward gear. Ideas? Starter would still kick out but not turn, if I held the key as if I was trying to turn the motor over the starter did not sound as if it was trying to spin. I also cannot tell if it is stuck between flywheel gears or if the starter gears have retracted. I tried arcing across the starter and it would then spin, kickout, and grind. Is there anything I can check on my outdrive to ensure the motor is free or is pulling the starter my next option?

 

[Coors]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Antifreeze in cylinder equals cracked block, or bad gasket. Search pressure test block in here.

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Turning Motor Over?

Another thing that I was thinking of tonight, the new solenoid had I believe four posts where as the old one only had three. I will have to verify all of this tmw but just thought of it. Will I need to order a different solenoid?