loud noise when starting engine

[Cobiaking1988]

Hey guys. Ive read alot of information on this site that has helped save me alot of time and money. I just want to thank everyone on this site for your input and time. Now on to my problem. I have a j90plsoa outboard that I have done alot of work to. Ive put a new impeller, spark plugs, rebuilt carbs, new fuel/oil pump, rebuilt the whole lower unit...ive been busy,lol. When I try to start my outboard it's turns over fine and thrn I hear a loud humming noise almost like something free spinning really fast. I'll try to start engine again and sometimes it fires right up and sometimes it wants to fire but that noise comes first and kinda locks up either the starter or motor..I dunno. All i know is I can turn the key and she will turn untileither the noise comes or she fires. Its done this for a while. Now my engine will turn over but not start. Im getting fuel to my carbs and plugs are firing excellent. Could these be related? This noise could be a problem with the starter...I dunno. Any ideas?

 

[oldboat1]

Welcome, Cobia.

That's one with a two-piece starter, right? separate bendix gear assembly? It sounds like a starter issue (engine might not be turning fast enough to fire). But that doesn't mean the problem is the starter itself, as you probably know. I would start by charging the battery -- consider having it tested if it is an older one or you're not sure how old it is (may not have sufficient cranking power any longer, regardless of whether it holds a charge). Battery aside, clean all connections -- battery, starter, solenoid -- sandpaper them until they shine (no corrosion). Salt water corrosion being what it it, I would clean up the connections as a first priority along with charging the battery.

 

[Cobiaking1988]

Ok ive cleaned everything and new battery. Still same problem. It almost sounds like thr spring in the starter is not staying engaged while engine is turning over. I think the starter is comong off the flywheel and free spinning but I dunno. Is this possible?

 

[StarTed]

I'm in agreement with oldboat1

It sounds like the bendix is bad. It probably disengages when the engine fires and runs faster than the starter for a moment allowing the bendix to loose grip.

I'd change the bendix and/or starter.

Just a thought

 

[Cobiaking1988]

Borrowed a friends starter (same model and same year as mine) that I know works and put it on mine.....still hear the spinning/humming noise when turning over stops due to what ever is causing that noise...lol maybe someone on here has had this same problem.

 

[James R]

The motor has a gear which drives the gear on the bendix shaft. There is a bushing and bearing related to this shaft. You could have one or more issues with this assembly even the casing could have failed.

 

[oldboat1]

Did you try the loaner starter? Motor and bendix gear?

 

[Cobiaking1988]

Im nit sure what a loner starter is. If it was the starter then I dont understand why the noise would be there still since I switched the starter out with another. The Bendix is what I'm putting my money on. I'm probely just gonna have to bite the bullet and buy a new one

 

[oldboat1]

...the starter you borrowed. I was curious whether it was the starter motor and bendix gear that you tried (i.e., not just the bendix, or not just the starter motor.) Maybe there is not a choice given the way it's put together.

[edit. That is, suggesting you should try the whole starter assembly -- motor and bendix gear together -- if you haven't done that.]

 

[Cobiaking1988]

Gotcha. I tryed the whole starter. I wonder of im pullong too many or too less volts to my starter. If it's not the flywheel its gotta be the starter right??? What else can free spin that fast?

 

[tomhath]

Have you tried jumping it with a known fully charged battery? Also look over the cables for cracks, they can leak voltage.

 

[Cobiaking1988]

Ok my idiot self didnt put a different Bendix on there...I'm now wiling to bet the Bendix is the problem. I didnt know the starter turns the Bendix and the Bendix turns the flywheel. Man I'm an idiot. Anyways I felt of my bendix and there is alot of play. My guess is the bushing is worn out is there suppose to be alot of play?

 

[oldboat1]

Well, you might check out the assembly and try to figure out the issue: http://www.iboats.com/Electric-Star...087612--session_id.737730773--view_id.1534898 It may be a simple as some grease, or you might see a broken spring. Hard to say.