How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

[andrewsilver]

Advice appreciated... My starter motor is sticking.<br /><br />It's a 1990 Mercruiser Alpha-1 3.0L (4-cyl).<br /><br />If I tap the starter with metal head (like a hammer), it usually will start no problem. <br /><br />To replace it, dealer says it's $275 for a replacement motor, and 1.5 hrs labor = ~$400! And they don't seem to have any re-built ones..<br /><br />Instead, I would like to take out the starter motor and clean the contacts - I once did it on my car's starter motor, and it seemed to work.<br /><br />Problem is I can't figure out how to remove it - I can't find the bolts holding it in place.<br /><br />Any help greatly appreciated, thx.<br />BR/ Andrew<br />andrewsilver@yahoo.com

 

[kev_79]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Don't know for sure, but if it is a gm engine, which it probably is, starter bolts will be going straight up from the bottom in a side by side, or caddy corner pattern. Should be a 9/16, possibly a 1/2 inch. BTW, this is an educated guess. Good Luck

 

[kev_79]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Also, you might go to autozone and match your starter up with an automotive one. I don't think that their is much difference if any. I took mine off a 305 mercruiser, and matched it up. Just told them the motor was out of another car. Lifetime warranty for 29 bucks. Don't tell them it's not for a car, or they won't warranty it. ( I used to work there) Good Luck

 

[hundel]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Marine starters are different, and you should stick with one. I just had the starter rebuilt on a mrcruiser 165hp 4cyl 224ci. It was much less than an hour of labor - pulled it before leaving for work, pckd it up from shop on way home, put it in and went out that night. I had a complete rebuild for $140 in Twin Cities area, and again, was told that marine starters cases and internals are much more environment-tolerant than auto starters. Also I was told if you have OEM starter, not to replace it with the cheaper 3rd party replacements as they don't last as long.

 

[andrewsilver]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Thanks guys for the info. Yes, it's the GM block.<br /><br />Hundel - so how do I remove the starter, that's my biggest problem. I can't find the bolts.<br /><br />Secondly, would you have the name and phone number of the place that rebuilt your starter motor?<br /><br />thanks,<br />Andrew

 

[fone_man]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Sounds like you have a "brush" problem... no more than ten dollars to repair yourself!!!<br /><br />Starter has two 9/16 bolts which go up from the nose of your starter.<br /><br />Remove starter... two 3/8 bolts on opposite end of nose... remove, then remove plate & this is where starter brushes are located. Remove & Replace brushes... check bushing on base plate for wear... I usually put a little white lithium grease on armature end going into bushing for good luck... put back together & ready to run... Why pay someone over a hundred dollars for ten dollar repair!!!<br /><br />Simple....!!!!<br /><br />

 

[nickster]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

andrewsilver! Can you see the starter? If you can see it and you can reach it there are two bolts that hold it up. Look by the fly wheel where the starter goes into the fly wheel. Reaching on the bottom side of the starter you should feel 2 bolt heads by the fly wheel, most likely 9/16th's. Drop them 2 bolts and your starter should drop, unless you have a bracket on the front side of the starter that will be real obviously. <br /><br />Good Luck1 Let us know how it turns out.<br />Nick!

 

[andrewsilver]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

Good news - and much thanks to all the help, very much appreciated!<br /><br />Following your advice, I managed to get the starter out - tough, but did it. Then opened her up and it didn't look so bad.<br /><br />So I cleaned up the rotor and the brushes, closed her up, and managed to get the baby back in (with some difficulty, but manageable...).<br /><br />She cranked right up! Only time will tell if problem solved, but at least I now know how to remove and re-install it. If indeed it works, I just saved $380...<br /><br />Thanks again, your advice greatly appreciated.<br /><br />BR/ Andrew

 

[fone_man]

Re: How to Remove Starter Motor: Mercruiser

What did brushes look like.... should have replaced when you had it out... But the point is you now know to get it out...!!!<br /><br />Good Luck...