Starter Bolt question for a 2001 Mercruiser 4 cyl 3 L

[green77bus]

Ok last year we replaced a starter bolt after it broke just at the threads. We got it out and replaced it thought we were doing good and last night out on the lake we broke it again. We have the bracket on the back end of the starter and thought that would stop most movement of the starter. So now I am wondering what is next. We thought of putting in the grade 8 bolt but we are worried that if we do that something else might be hurt by putting a stronger bolt in there. If that is the weakest point fine but it just stinks to be stranded. My husband is positive that he tightened the bracket when he put everything back together last time, he is a mechanic so he would not have left that loose. My question is it common for these bolts to back out and then break. Is there anything that you can do to stop it?

Ok last thing when we were out on the lake and we shut the boat down it chugged like there was unburnt fuel in the cylinders. Can the motor back wash water into the cylinders by doing this?

Erin

 

[JustJason]

Re: Starter Bolt question for a 2001 Mercruiser 4 cyl 3 L

Is he useing new starter bolts or old ones? Is he torqueing them down to the torque specifications in the book or just by feel?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter Bolt question for a 2001 Mercruiser 4 cyl 3 L

Ok last thing when we were out on the lake and we shut the boat down it chugged like there was unburnt fuel in the cylinders. Can the motor back wash water into the cylinders by doing this?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....
That's called Dieseling, or Run-on...
It hydro-locked your motor with water, that's Why the starter bolt broke...
Fix the dieselin' with a tune up,+ the starter should stay put with New starter bolts....

The factory manuals are up in the Adults Only section at the top of this forum,...

Good Luck...