Mercruiser Starter bolt shearing

[LarrysBoat]

Looking for some advise - starter came off 2001 3.0 ltr alpha one mercruiser last summer. Paid the marina mechanic to replace bolts and re-install starter. Used boat 3 or 4 more times last year and then put up for the winter. Recently had 100 hr service done to begin new season and another local machanic recommended I replace the starter as it looked old. Told him to go ahead, got a call the next day as they could not install it as a bolt was sheared off inside the engine.

Have seen on this forum that this does happen, heard that either the flywheel, water in the cylinders and even battery amperage could be cause the thing the shear off.

Last mechanic didn't fix the cause of the problem any recommendations on what I can ask this mechanic to watch out for. Don't want to have to keep pulling the engine just to replace bolts every year

Any thoughts would be appreciated
Thanks for any ideas

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Starter bolt shearing

Two things. It needs to have 2 new mounting bolts. Especially on a 3.0L. Make certain that the support bracket is installed on the starter. (IF it is supposed to have one.) A Merc serial number is needed for that.
The 2 things assumes you are using an OEM new starter.
IF he used aftermarket remans, many other things could be the problem too.