Smoking Engine and Mercruiser ignition switch question

[massimofinance]

your trying to pull antifreeze thru the motor with one of the block-busting kits? unless you get the antifreeze hotter than boiling. it wont work. the thermostat will slam shut. that is how they work.

read this. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/winterizing-inboard-and-i-o.770207/

appreciate the response; I've been using the kit to get the AF through the engine for 14 years, and never had an issue. I had the boat mechanic tell me it was a stainless impeller, but can check that as well. Will check out the link above, thanks.

 

[Bt Doctur]

but never for Alpha`s .The inner cup is SS but the impeller is rubber and the housing is plastic. If he melted it from no/lack of water it will be very evident at teardown.

 

[massimofinance]

Ah. That helps. Thank you.
The ignition switch broke at the same time oddly enough. I’ll replace that then winterize. What will tell me the impeller is fried? I had great water flow the entire time and the over heating buzzer never went off.

 

[Fun Times]

I’ll just through this out there as a just in case scenario… with everything you’re mentioning about the ignition system from key switch to engine starter not spinning makes me wonder if maybe the ignition key went bad to where the switch started holding constant start power to the engine starter and in-turn, damaging the starter and/or flywheel gear teeth while causing some smoke from the electric starter motor area…
Might be worth investigating.

Could you tell what side the smoke was coming from?

 

[nola mike]

I’ll just through this out there as a just in case scenario… with everything you’re mentioning about the ignition system from key switch to engine starter not spinning makes me wonder if maybe the ignition key went bad to where the switch started holding constant start power to the engine starter and in-turn, damaging the starter and/or flywheel gear teeth while causing some smoke from the electric starter motor area…
Might be worth investigating.

Could you tell what side the smoke was coming from?

My thought as well. Or something else fried under the helm.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Why not just pull the thermostat?

 

[massimofinance]

My thought as well. Or something else fried under the helm.

Thanks. I’ll investigate the starter. I thought it was the ignition that went bad because it just spins. I’ve ordered a new one and will replace it and report back. The smoke was coming from the starboard side. It was running fine then just petered out. When I turn the key, it just spins around and around- doesn’t “catch”

 

[Mad Dog 2]

If the starter is junk. the starter could have stuck in the flywheel or the ignition key failed in start position and starter stayed engaged.
Same thoughts as Fun Times and Nola Mike. It would explain the smoke especially on the starboard side.

 

[QBhoy]

Was your outdrive tilted all the way up by any chance ?
Either way…I would t be running any engine like this for too long on the muffs. If you need to…keep the revs low.
Anyway. Best of luck.

 

[massimofinance]

Wanted to circle back up with everyone. The theory that the ignition got stuck “on” is likely correct. I put in a new ignition and when I turn the key, which now catches (the old one stopped catching while I was winterizing) the starter just clicks. Does that mean the starter is likely burned out? Problem is it seems the engine needs to come out to access the starter. Thank you.

 

[massimofinance]

Also I found all 5 drain plugs. 4 came out. One broke- the wings on the plastic plug broke off. I can’t see and barely can feel the plug. Any advice on how to remove the plug? Port side block plug. Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Also I found all 5 drain plugs. 4 came out. One broke- the wings on the plastic plug broke off. I can’t see and barely can feel the plug. Any advice on how to remove the plug? Port side block plug. Thanks.

Ayuh,..... Slip joint plyers gotta be able to grab what's left,....

The starter is 2 bolts straight up from the bottom,.... usually 9/16ths heads,....
Plus the wires of course,....

 

[massimofinance]

Ayuh,..... Slip joint plyers gotta be able to grab what's left,....

The starter is 2 bolts straight up from the bottom,.... usually 9/16ths heads,....
Plus the wires of course,....

Thanks. Any advice on how to access the plug or the starter? There is literally
No room. I’ll need to remove the exhaust risers?

 

[Bondo]

Thanks. Any advice on how to access the plug or the starter? There is literally
No room. I’ll need to remove the exhaust risers?

Ayuh,...... Can't help ya on that,.... being limber, 'n double jointed would no doubt help,....
For the starter, it might be easier to pull the whole manifold, rather that just the riser,....
If the starter is dead, go to a permanent magnet style, much lighter, 'n nearly twice the power,....

 

[Fun Times]

In your photo I can see at least 4 screws and one through bolt /nut holding the white base down around the engine compartment/bilge area but there's probably a few more...If you can get the base out and undue the hatch lift air shocks, I think you'd probably be a little bit surprised at the extra room you'd gain to reach down near the engine starter on the starboard rear side to get at the wiring and bolts. Please disconnect the battery cables at the battery before using a wrench on the wiring at the starter especially in this case.. The spark is big when grounded out.... With the base out, you might be able to get at the blue? drain plugs too better.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Also I found all 5 drain plugs. 4 came out. One broke- the wings on the plastic plug broke off. I can’t see and barely can feel the plug. Any advice on how to remove the plug? Port side block plug. Thanks.

I have knocked a screw driver through them to unscrew.
When you get them all out, get the Stainless Steel ones. A 5 pack cost the same as 5 plastic ones. No brainer here.

Stainless Steel Sea Pump Drain Plugs - Mercruiser 22-806608A02 (5 Pack) - Hardin Marine

Stainless Steel Sea Pump Drain Plugs - Mercruiser 22-806608A02 / 8M2000874 (5 Pack)

www.hardin-marine.com

 

[massimofinance]

I have knocked a screw driver through them to unscrew.
When you get them all out, get the Stainless Steel ones. A 5 pack cost the same as 5 plastic ones. No brainer here.
View attachment 403224

Stainless Steel Sea Pump Drain Plugs - Mercruiser 22-806608A02 (5 Pack) - Hardin Marine

Stainless Steel Sea Pump Drain Plugs - Mercruiser 22-806608A02 / 8M2000874 (5 Pack)

www.hardin-marine.com

Thanks. I can barely get my arm under there. A previous poster made the excellent suggestion to remove
Some of the panel that surrounds the engine. Will do that.

 

[Lou C]

The starter your best shot is to remove he exhaust first to see if you can get under it to reach the bolts. It can be tight. Can you remove that ledge on the deck that surrounds the engine? I see screws holding it down on the inside. With it off you might have a chance to get ‘er done. I removed, ‘n modified anything on my boat that was in the way of engine maintenance….designers don’t give a damn about mechanics!

 

[Grub54891]

Never had to pull a manifold to do the starter. I tie a string to ti and drag it out/ in with that. Yes getting your arms under there is a real challenge on some.

 

[Lou C]

Me either but every boat is different. On mine I remove the rear seat on that side & battery and have good access. But on some boats it can be a real challenge. On the OPs boat that ledge has to come out.