Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

[NYBoater63]

Over July 4th weekend the boat wouldn't start (it had been running and starting fine on earlier trips this year). The starter engaged, I heard a bad clunk, then it just clicked. When I got the starter off, the housing (nose) of the starter was broken into several pieces. I fished out all of the pieces and installed a new starter. It started and ran fine on several trips until this Sunday, when the same thing happened to the new starter. What could be causing this to happen ?<br /><br />EDIT: S/N L382133, from what I can find out this is '99 3.0L Alpha One GM 181 c.i. I/L 4 (140HP?)

 

[Wotknot]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=013937 ......and <br /><br />"Attention All Engines and Motors Posters: Please post as much info about your engine as possible when you post questions, i.e. manufacturer, make, model & serial number, horsepower, year, etc. Our forum members/experts need this info to help you."

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

Nice pic,obviously no dimples.<br /><br />Post is under Sterndrives,says Merc 3.0.<br /><br />Uuumm what else do you want them to do ?<br /><br />DHP

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

Water in a cylinder is one posibility...

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

I was going to suggest the same thing, hydrolock jamming the engine and breaking the starter, likely damage to the flywheel too. This seems like the most likely but could be loose/missing mounting bolts or brackets (internal threads stripped or bracket removed by PO) as well.

 

[NYBoater63]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

Thank you for the replies..from what you are saying I'd better get it to someone more knowledgeable than me.

 

[NYBoater63]

Re: Starter housing breaking - Merc 3.0

olbuddyjack and vatter41 you were right..yesterday I put in a new starter, and pulled the plugs. One plug was wet - the others were fine. Cranked it over and water came out of the cylinder that had the wet plug. Cranked it over until all of the water was out. Checked the oil, that looked fine. Put the plugs back in and started it up on muffs, it purred like a kitten. Ran it for a few minutes until it warmed up, then shut it off. This morning I pulled the plugs, they were all dry. <br /><br />I trailer the boat, and it sits outside in my driveway. We had some pretty heavy rains and wind last week from the remnants of Katrina, and I think some water must have gotten in through the air cleaner or something. I am going to start keeping it inside - hopefully it will stop this from happening again. Thanks for your help.