Motor will not crank

[Travis71]

2000 model 4.3 Mercruiser

On the lake for several hours boat was running fine and dandy. Stopped to get skier out of the water and engine would not crank, just getting awful grinding noise when starter engaged flywheel.

Back at the house I pulled the starter, flywheel teeth look good but the starter was loose, mounting bolts not tight. Had the starter checked out and it bench-tested fine so re-installed. Same problem. Engine would not turn over and lots of obnoxious grinding noise.

Bought a new starter. Before installing I verified that I could turn the engine l by hand using a screwdriver and pushing against the flywheel, was able to move the flywheel several inches. Put the new starter in and same problem. The engine is trying to turn over a little bit now, but then it starts grinding again. Starter is shaking violently when trying to start.

Not sure what to try next...any ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Starter is shaking violently when trying to start.

Ayuh,...... How is this possible, ^^^, if the starter bolts are tight,..??

Pull the spark plugs, 'n see if it ingested water,.....

 

[Travis71]

So once I pull the plugs do I use the starter to turn the engine over or do I need to turn it by hand to flush any water out?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... The starter of course,.....

 

[Travis71]

There was indeed water in the engine. Got the plugs pulled and it is turning over just fine now. Thanks for the help!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Stopped to get skier out of the water and engine would not crank Guessing you just shut the motor off and it washed back up the exaust. No reason to do that when retirieving a shier