Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

[bba]

Hello. I have searched this topic and to tell you the truth, I don't like what I'm learning!!!
Last summer, I bought a 1996 four winns with a Volvo 4.3L. It needed Carb. work, but ran good. After about 4 outings the starter began to hit very hard, meaning it didn't just grind, it sounded like it was tearing things apart. I bought a new one, and it seemed to be ok for a few starts, then it did the big loud grind again and it would no longer even engage the engine, just whine, just like the first one. So I took it in to the boat shop. They said it had rust on a spark plug and was hydro-locking and needed the exhaust and elbow gaskets replaced and a new starter. I had heard of the possible ring gear problem, so I asked them to check to be sure the teeth were ok, and they said the were not damaged. I did the work myself. It began to do the same thing within 3 or 4 starts. I checked all cylinders to be certain there was not water in them. Is there any hope besides a new ring gear?! I'm in Utah near Salt lake city, does anyone know a trust worthy shop?

 

[superpop]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Could be a rusted out intake manifold. Have you checked to see if you are still getting water in the combustion chamber. The ring gear is pretty easy to check depending on the access to your motor. There is a plate that covers up the flywheel just behind the oilpan. take the bolts out and the starter and this plate will come out. You can then rotate the motor to check the whole gear. Take the plugs out and check them if it was running with water in the piston the plug will look really clean. otherwise it will have rust on it. The 4.3L is a pretty reliable engine if you treat it right and do the maint on it.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

I did determine that there is not water entering the combustion chamber. We had the engine on for a few minuts at a tme while we were trying to figure it out, and when we pulled the plugs, there was no rust and no sign of water. We even turned the engine using a socket and it is VERY hard to turn (with plugs in). But positively no water. The teeth on the flywheel do have some marks on them, but all teeth are fully in tact. The plugs were charcoal black. If it is a flywheel problem, how bad does the damage have to be? Oh, and thank you for your quick response, I've been freeking out trying to figure this out!!

 

[Coors]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

You are running rich; but there seems to be the problem of water is entering. Use the search in here.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Yes it is rich, but there is POSITIVELY no water entering the combustion chambers. I have used the search as stated, but am not completely convinced that I need to pull the motor and replace the ring gear as one other person did. Another person had this problem, replaced the flywheel, and still had the problem. I am just trying to avoid this by asking the pros for any bit of help/advice. Its better to ask questions, rather than just blunder through!

 

[superpop]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

I would pull all of the plugs and try turning it over with the plugs out and the center plug wire on the dist umplugged and see how it turns over then. Check the starter bolts as well and make sure the starter is fully seated and squared up.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

I did turn it over (using the starter) with all the plugs out and it turned easy with no unusual noise. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but, with all plugs in place, and using a socket to turn the engine, it takes all I have to turn the engine over. Also, the compression test showed 120 psi on all cylinders. Is this normal? Is it possible that I need a geared down starter, if such a thing exists? I do believe I had the starter in correctly, and tight, with new bolts. I can reinstall it and give it another try, but I'm afraid I'm going to damage something further. I just want to be sure! By the way... I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you are taking to help with this!!

 

[Coors]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Does your battery have 12.5 volts? If it is low, that could cause a problem.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

I will check

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Also, The valve cover says OMC Corbra, and the carburetor cover says Volvo Penta. I have been told that its all the same as for the engine, is that true? It was a nightmare just to get the right carburetor rebuild kit.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

How many bolts are holding the starter in place? Not counting the one that may be on the bracket facing the front of the engine.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

battery shows 11.83 volts. There are two, diagnal pattern. I have used new bolts each time the starter has been replaced.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

battery shows 11.83 volts. There are two, diagnal pattern. I have used new bolts each time the starter has been replaced.

Is that under load (starter engaged) or a stand-by reading??

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Just a thought....I had close to the same thing happening....I had to shim the starter to keep it from binding up.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

that is stand by voltage, (starter not engaged)

88wellcraft, I will look into that, the starters that I have installed did not come with shims, but could it be that I would have to get them seperate? The first starter that I replaced was, I believe, the original, and it did not have any shims. Thanks

 

[Coors]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Battery not fully charged.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Ok, I put a new battery on that shows 12.77 standby volts, and it did start, however it seemed a little loud (clanging) and then after a few starts it did the big slam/grinding noise, and a big puff of smoke came out of the carburetor, I'm pretty freaked out now!!

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

One more thing; The starter that I just tested it with did have some gear wear/damage, from this whole fiasco. Maybe its damaged to the point that even if all other problems are solved, its now the problem?

 

[superpop]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Sounds like a timing issue, have you done anything with the plug wires or distributor cap, I would go through the entire ignition system and look for anything out of place. 120PSI on the compression test is low. That motor should be at 145-150PSI per Cylinder with no more than 10% difference. You do not need a high torque starter for this motor. Take the plugs back out and turn it over again. If it turns over effortlessly then you have found the problem. The spark is wrong and is pre igniting in some cylinders or doing something funky.

 

[bba]

Re: Grinding starter, volvo 4.3l

Ok I will do as you have said. I have wondered about timing, and yes we did mess with the timing now that you mention it! A friend/machanic was helping me last year about the time all of this began!!!!!! I am no mechanic and with this new information I will probably just take it to someone who KNOWS how to time it.
When you said if it turns effortlessly... you have found the problem, did you mean that is is timing?