4.3 mercruiser cranking problem.

[Billy89searay]

Hello everyone. I'm desperate for help. I bought a 97 20ft bayliner in late winter. Found it wasn't winterized and had a cracked block. I bought a remanufactured short block put it all together dropped it in and I have an electrical issue. The starter is cranking slow then fast then really slow. In no fixed order. I figured it was the starter so I took the starter and battery out and had them tested. The shop said the starter was fine and the battery was bad so I bought a new interstate deep cycle. Put them back in and I have the same problem but slightly better. I tried to start it multiple times after only a few seconds the starter began smoking. After a few tries the solenoid stopped engaging and the start is just spinning. Now I know I have to get the starter looked at but will that fix the root problem or will I just burn it up again? The only other thing I've done is bypass the circuit breaker in the engine compartment because I thought it was causing resistance. I've owned the boat for a few years and used it a hand full of times before diagnosing the cracked block. It sat for over a year before I rebuilt it. I did not have starting problems before now.

 

[alldodge]

Hello everyone. I'm desperate for help. I bought a 97 20ft bayliner in late winter. Found it wasn't winterized and had a cracked block. I bought a remanufactured short block put it all together dropped it in and I have an electrical issue. The starter is cranking slow then fast then really slow. In no fixed order. I figured it was the starter so I took the starter and battery out and had them tested. The shop said the starter was fine and the battery was bad so I bought a new interstate deep cycle. Put them back in and I have the same problem but slightly better. I tried to start it multiple times after only a few seconds the starter began smoking. After a few tries the solenoid stopped engaging and the start is just spinning. Now I know I have to get the starter looked at but will that fix the root problem or will I just burn it up again? The only other thing I've done is bypass the circuit breaker in the engine compartment because I thought it was causing resistance. I've owned the boat for a few years and used it a hand full of times before diagnosing the cracked block. It sat for over a year before I rebuilt it. I did not have starting problems before now.

:welcome: to iboats Billy

Are you sure the starter was smoking or maybe is it the cables attached to it?
Check your cables and connections. Make certain to check the grounds, need shinny metal, take them all off and clean them with files and wire brushes

 

[Bondo]

Hello everyone. I'm desperate for help. I bought a 97 20ft bayliner in late winter. Found it wasn't winterized and had a cracked block. I bought a remanufactured short block put it all together dropped it in and I have an electrical issue. The starter is cranking slow then fast then really slow. In no fixed order. I figured it was the starter so I took the starter and battery out and had them tested. The shop said the starter was fine and the battery was bad so I bought a new interstate deep cycle. Put them back in and I have the same problem but slightly better. I tried to start it multiple times after only a few seconds the starter began smoking. After a few tries the solenoid stopped engaging and the start is just spinning. Now I know I have to get the starter looked at but will that fix the root problem or will I just burn it up again? The only other thing I've done is bypass the circuit breaker in the engine compartment because I thought it was causing resistance. I've owned the boat for a few years and used it a hand full of times before diagnosing the cracked block. It sat for over a year before I rebuilt it. I did not have starting problems before now.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Does the motor turn over on a wrench,..??
Is the drive still off,..??

How'd ya drop the distributor back in,..??
How'd ya come about findin' Tdc to drop the distributor in,..??