Engine stopped abruptly during start up

[trinhsman]

I have an 80HP Mercury outboard. Yesterday I tried to start the engine and it engaged for about 2 seconds and then just immediately stopped. Very sudden and no slowing winding down, just stopped without starting. I checked the battery and found it was a bit down, so did a full recharge over night. Tried to start the engine this morning and just get a click. Removed the flywheel cover and found the bendix on the starter in the engaged position against the flywheel, but the teeth were not aligned, like they should be. Tried to tap the bendix down with a hammer and piece of wood, but it would not go down. The engine has had quite a bit of work this past year by a professional mechanic to include/ rebuilt carbs, new plugs, reconditioned flywheel, new stator, new rectifier, new impellers and pump. The engine has been running quite well and has only had "non ethynol" gas in it since I got the engine last year.

Any thoughts? My best guess is have the starter checked out first to see if it froze up.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Engine stopped abruptly during start up

You should see if you can turn the flywheel with your hand. Almost sounds like your motor siezed.

 

[trinhsman]

Re: Engine stopped abruptly during start up

You should see if you can turn the flywheel with your hand. Almost sounds like your motor siezed.

Since the bendix is stuck, I can not move the flywheel at all. Not sure if it's the flywheel not wanting to move or the starter not wanting to move. It's obvious from the teeth no matching up that something locked up. At least I wasn't going 5,000 RPM's and was just trying to start the engine.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Engine stopped abruptly during start up

You should be able to rock the flywheel a little and free up the bendix and it will drop down. You could also loosen the starter mounting bolts if necessary.

 

[trinhsman]

Re: Engine stopped abruptly during start up

You should be able to rock the flywheel a little and free up the bendix and it will drop down. You could also loosen the starter mounting bolts if necessary.

Since I don't have a trailer for the boat and it's in the water, I don't dare do too much. I did try tapping the bendix with a piece of wood and hammer. I also tried to force the flywheel a bit, but didn't have much leverage, so not sure how much I could do. All I know is that it seems the teeth on the bendix and flywheel are together, almost to the highpoints on the teeth and nothing will move. I did take the nut off the top of the bendix, (almost lost the spring, but caught everything before it release) and when doing that I noticed the nut seemed loose to begin with. I tightened everything back up and still nothing moves.

 

[wired247]

Re: Engine stopped abruptly during start up

Unbolt the starter.