Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

[LMo]

We got a 99 Four Winns in June. In August it needed a new starter motor. We went to start it up this weekend to pull it for the season and the thing is frozen. My husband says he can feel the rust when he gets his hand down there. We tried to shake it loose with a hammer but no luck. Any ideas on why this keeps happening?

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

Sounds like too much water in the bilge, or water trapped in the flywheel cover housing. There is a drain hose for the flywheel housing that gets wire tied to the starter when new. Make sure it is cut off and aimed down so any water that drips in around the coupler, has a way to get out. And find a way to prevent any water from leaking on the back of the engine.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

yep yep, I've got the drain tube on my 5.8 it originates from a a cast in nipple at the bottom left side of the engine bell housing or flywheeel cover whatever you want to call it, it is no longer tied to the starter, it just lies in the bilge, also worth mentioning is the nose of the starter also has a drain hole, it's really tiny though about the size of a small brad, it wouldn't take much to plug it up.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

We got a 99 Four Winns in June. In August it needed a new starter motor. We went to start it up this weekend to pull it for the season and the thing is frozen. My husband says he can feel the rust when he gets his hand down there. We tried to shake it loose with a hammer but no luck. Any ideas on why this keeps happening?

helps if you tell us you boat in salt or fresh..couple ounces saltwater flipping around down there, and it makes "toast" real quick..

 

[Lou C]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

Make sure you don't have a leaky drain for the exhaust manifold right above the starter, my 88 Cobra has the drain for the starbord side manifold right above the starter, and if you drain it without covering the starter with a plastic bag the water runs all over it. The old starter was covered with rust, probably from people winterizing it without covering it when draining, they are marine rated but not water proof! I installed the new one this spring, I used a freezer bag to keep water off of it when draining the motor to winterize.

 

[njlarry]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.0L starter keeps rusting

Good point Lou. (Now you tell me!!!!)