Starter Quetions 5.0 l OMC

[ricsorbi]

Just had a problem with a new, for us, boat. It's an 85 19" bayliner with, according to the model number on the valve cover, an 85 5.0l OMC. Yesterday and today after a day of cooling, as long as there's power to the starter, it turns. That is, only the one red positive wire from the battery and all others disconnected. Bought a new(rebuilt) starter at the marina and now it seems fine, no running until you turn the key But...the teeth don't engage. Took the shims out, nope. Are there different starters that come out farther to engage? Did I get the wrong part or do I have bigger problems? By the way, it is the starter with the bolt holes in a line not staggered. I guess I could look at the numbers on the outside of the starter if they would mean anything but if they're rebuilds by different companies, I don't know if that would help. Thank for the help anyone can give. And by the way, can I buy a rebuild kit for the old starter, at least the c clip that stops the gear from coming all the way out is gone. Again thanks.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Starter Quetions 5.0 l OMC

There are a number of reasons why the bendix gear won't engage the flywheel: The battery might not be sufficiently charged to drive the gear up into the flywheel ring gear. The solenoid switch might be bad (Either a bad solenoid or bad key switch can also cause the starter to run constantly, like you describe). The shaft might be dirty, stopping the bendix gear from travelling all the way up. The ring gear on the flywheel may have teeth missing.<br /><br />I would take the old starter to a rebuild shop unless you are familiar with starter rebuilding. Part of the job is to renew the bendix as well as the brushes -- will give you a spare when the current starter poops out.