Mercruiser Starter Issue? - spins but no crank

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Mercruiser Starter Issue? - spins but no crank

I'm pretty sure the merc part is just a GM starter. I went with Sierra 4 years ago, no issues at all. works fine. My original merc starter says "Delco Remy" on it.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Mercruiser Starter Issue? - spins but no crank

This thread got me to dig out the box containing my original starter. When it failed, the stationary ring gear was not available forsale anywhere, so I boxed up the parts and put it on a shelf hoping trhat some day the parts would become available. Now that I can get the gear, I ordered one on ebay for $15.20 and will have a perfect spare starter in less than a week. My failed starter is like new (other than the ring gear) inside and out.

 

[OneFoot81]

Re: Mercruiser Starter Issue? - spins but no crank

Just installed the new starter....workes better than ever!!! Went with the $60 unit, so far so good....

I may order some replacements as well, see if I can fix the old one up!!

Thanks for all the advice

 

[dimlight85]

Re: Mercruiser Starter Issue? - spins but no crank

I know this is an old thread but I had the same issue today. I was checking out an issue I've been having with the oil pressure gauge and alarm going off intermittently. Gauge goes to zero at random and the alarm goes off then pops back up to 40psi with the alarm going away. Happens a couple times a day...anyway.

While I was working on that, I had the engine running and did 4 or 5 starts no problem with maybe 15-20 minutes in between. Then, shut it down to check something, turned the key and heard that lovely sound...whirring starter spinning but not engaging. I cleaned the contacts and banged on it a little with a hammer and still the same thing. I took the starter off and apart and noticed the plastic teeth of the stationary gear all over in the grease. I put the starter back together on the bench and hooked it up to a battery. It engages just fine on the bench and indicates that all is well. I'm assuming under load, the bendix gear engages but the shaft just spins on those three smaller gears. Does this sound like a good assessment? I went ahead and order a new since it was only $60 off of Amazon. I'll hold onto this one and maybe buy a stationary gear for it. However, I couldn't get that part out when I had the starter in pieces.

I'll get a closer look at the flywheel gears tomorrow but they didn't appear to be chewed up or missing teeth. What could cause a hydrolock situation while hooked the hose?

Boat Specs: Boat: 1998 Bayliner Capri 2050SE w/ 5.0 Mercruiser Alpha One and Humminbird 283c
Serials: Engine: 0L044514, Transom: 0L241348, Drive: 0L118041