Boat won't turn over - bad starter?

[djpoling214]

I have a Mercruiser MCM 3.0 in my boat - lately, when I try to start it, it cranks very slowly and won't turn over. Some times, it eventually turns over and other times I just get the clicking noise like the battery is dead.

When the boat does turn over, I drive it around for a bit, and when I come back to the dock, I turn it off and 9/10 times it starts right back up, but when I let it sit for a day or so, it goes back to the slow crank and clicking noise.

I went out today and it wouldn't turn over again, I kept messing with it and I noticed the starter was very hot.

I don't know too much about boats, but from what I'm told replacing a starter isn't too bad.

Does this sound like a bad starter?
Later today, I think I'm going to check the cables on the battery to make sure they are tightly secured, as well as check for any type of corrosion around the terminals.

The battery is brand new - all the electronics in the boat work.

On a side note, last time I had the boat out, I noticed there was a stutter in the engine when I was moving slowly, as if it wanted to stall out. When the boat gets on plain, its runs great! Problem is, I need to get it started again!

Any suggestions would be great!

Thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat won't turn over - bad starter?

Sounds more like dirty or loose connections. They need to be clean tight connections (NOT wingnuts) with good cable that have good solid crimps on both ends and not all corroded.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat won't turn over - bad starter?

You might want to check your exhaust manifold and riser gasket too. The more I thought about it, the more it sounds like water in the cylinders may be part of your problem.

 

[djpoling214]

Re: Boat won't turn over - bad starter?

I'm going to check the connections and cables for corrosion tomorrow, I'm hoping it's something simple like that.

I don't think it's the exhaust manifold, my old boat had a crack in the exhaust manifold and that problem was completely different. However, the stuttering does make me nervous, as my old boat did have a stutter in it, but the stutter was hard and constant. I'm hoping the stuttering is just from possible condensation sitting in the engine somewhere from it sitting all winter.

Last year, the boat had problems starting at times as well, and towards the end of the season, it got worse, to the point where it would take 10-12 times just to get it started.

I tried the good ole hitting the starter with something solid trick, and as I did that, the engine started cranking a little better - it didn't turn over, but it cranked harder.

I also don't think it's the solenoid, as you can hear the clicking noise - I know that doesn't necessarily mean the solenoid is good, but it's a start at diagnosing the problem.

Tomorrow, I'll check the gasket and connections and see if I resolve this, if not, I'll have to dig deeper.

Thanks for the reply!