Starting problems

[saltydogjeff]

I bought this boat that has a 1988 Mercruiser 470 engine and Alpha One stern drive. When I bought the boat the alpha one was not attached. The seller turned on the boat with water hooked up to the bell housing to show me the engine runs. The engine ran fine with no problems.

So, I ended up replacing the water pump in the alpha one. When I did this, I leaked oil while trying to separate the alpha one. I figured this was a normal port passage between the two parts. The pump assembly went together fine with no problems. After realizing the stern drive has gear lubrication, I then replaced the gear oil. Also, another piece of knowledge, I tried turning the crank shaft on the alpha one while it was off the bell housing to see if I could get the propeller to turn, but could not.

This morning I mounted the stern drive on the engine, hoping everything would run fine when I got it into water. I got it into water, turned the key, no results. (No chance to test on muffs because I can't find a water spicket)

After returning from my launch attempt, I then went to troubleshoot. Results from troubleshooting was good batteries, power to slave solenoid. Unknown whether the slave solenoid works, because I didn't have a friend to help turn the key to see if it would start. I couldn't hear if there was any "clicking" noises when trying to launch.

Here are my possible solutions:
1.) Slave solenoid is not functioning properly
2.) Stern drive does not work properly preventing the engine from turning
3.) I did not have the motor in the right neutral position to allow cranking.

Please provide any thoughts.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

After realizing the stern drive has gear lubrication, I then replaced the gear oil

And you did pump it in from the bottom hole untill it came out the top hole?

I tried turning the crank shaft on the alpha one while it was off the bell housing to see if I could get the propeller to turn, but could not.

How tight did you tighten the nuts, did you assemble the pump correctly? do you have the manual?

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

Yes. I pumped a quart of the gear oil through to the top vent. I tightened all the nuts on assembling the stern drive and attaching to the bell housing tightly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

please read my post again, carefully as to the oil

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Starting problems

I would suggest you read all the sticky's at the top of this forum. Make sure the motor turns - make sure drive turns before going any further..

 

[thumpar]

Re: Starting problems

The drive should take more than a quart.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

Yes. I pumped a quart of the gear oil through to the top vent
You pumped it up from the bottom untill it came out the top vent or you pumped the oil INTO the top vent?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

can someone test this link http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[thumpar]

Re: Starting problems

can someone test this link http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

It is just the first couple pages.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf this one
and this http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

the oil was pump in through the bottom to the top.

 

[subysti]

Re: Starting problems

Could be the shift lock out switch. Mine did this and I had to shift from neutral to reverse a couple of times to free it up and then it would crank over. Also make sure there isn't a safety lanyard switch on the throttle lever somewhere.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Starting problems

the oil was pump in through the bottom to the top.

If it was drained you should need close to 2 quarts to fill it.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Starting problems

If I read your original posting correctly, you were unable to turn the shaft on the outdriive by hand to make the propeller turn. You then mounted this drive on your boat and the engine wouldn't start. Correct? Does the engine crank at all? I suspect it doesn't. I also suspect you'll find that the drive is locked up internally. If a 'frozen' drive is connected to an engine, it will prevent the engine from rotating or starting. Continuing to try to start the engine with a bad drive connected could cause serious damage to your starter, flywheel, coupler or, rarely, your crankshaft. Pull the drive and try to start the engine. You don't need a hose connection for a 30-second start. If it starts, as I suspect it will, you'll know your culpit - your drive is broken and needs an overhaul or replacement. hy

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

Could be the shift lock out switch. Mine did this and I had to shift from neutral to reverse a couple of times to free it up and then it would crank over. Also make sure there isn't a safety lanyard switch on the throttle lever somewhere.

If you got no click at all when you tried to start I would agree. Make sure you push in the throttle only button (probably square button on shift handle). If the neutral safety switch is engaged you will get nothing when you turn the key.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Starting problems

You don't need a hose connection for a 30-second start. If it starts, as I suspect it will, you'll know your culpit - your drive is broken and needs an overhaul or replacement. hy

Not recommended to ever run an O/D without water.....anything longer than a "bump". (experience). Just sayin' (edit...OK...just re-read where you advised to pull the drive and try the restart.... no prob! duh...I gotta read more closely!!)

When you tried to turn the OD shaft, did it turn at all? If it did turn and the prop didn't, were you in fwd, rev, or neut?

You haven't indicated if you have any sort of service manual.

Have you taken the drive off again? Tried to recreate the same conditions as when you saw it tested before you bought it?

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

Not sure how installing a drive could possibly keep the engine from turning over with the starter. Unless all the gears in the drive were locked up.
Even then, if the drive was locked up, there would be a loud CLUNK as the starter engaged the flywheel and couldn't turn the engine over.
No mention of any noise.

You need to troubleshoot the system, you can use a test light and if you move the engine cover you can see it light or not if you are careful.

Your slave solenoid may look different than the one in the file below (older style solenoid shown), but the markings will be the same and the wiring.

View attachment Troubleshooting a mercruiser 470 Starting system.pdf

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

I did hear the engine start with out the out drive on.

I do have a mercruiser service manual for stern drive units and marine engines.

I have yet to take the out drive off the bell housing. I did not hear any clunks or noise whatsoever from trying to start. It sounded more like an electrical cut off since there were no mechanical clunks or chirps.

I believe it could be part of the shift cable, shift plate mechanism, system not allowing the out drive to turn over.

Second thought is something happened when I replaced the water pump.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

So here's an update:

I took off the stern drive and the engine turning over, ready to rumble.

With the stern drive off, I could twist the u-joint in both directions by hand with out the impeller turning.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Starting problems

So here's an update:

I took off the stern drive and the engine turning over, ready to rumble.

With the stern drive off, I could twist the u-joint in both directions by hand with out the impeller turning.

Without the "impeller" turning? or do you mean the "propeller" (prop)? Did you manually engage the drive into fwd and/or reverse (with the shift shaft) and then turn the drive shaft (u-joints) while holding the shift shaft in fwd or rev?
Or try this... engage the shift shaft in fwd (needed to be in that position to remove the drive anyways), then turn the prop CCW until it "locks" then continue to try and turn the prop CCW and see if the U-joints start to turn....(may take a bit of effort).
Next recourse is to just split the drive in half and do your PMs anyways, then you'll see how things turn and such.