Been looking through a number of posts here about starters and belive I have my answer (get a new one), but wanted to run this by the experts here.
1994 7.4L Merc Bravo I, with 522.6 hours. I've always been a real "by the book" guy with all the boats I've owned, and do all the routine maintenance on schedule, per specs, and use "genuine Mercruiser parts and accessories". I finished up my spring preps this weekend, which involved cranking the engine 3 times, on the trailer, with the water muffs. No problems cranking the engine at all.
Hit the lake this morning and the starter dragged just a bit at first, but then cranked normally. We rode for about 10 minutes to a cove for a quick swim and to lather on the suntan lotion. When I went to crank it again, the starter turned once, then nothing. Waited a few minutes and tried it again, but got the same result. Checked the cables & contacts. They were clean, but ran some sandpaper over them to be sure. Hooked 'em back up, and got the same thing. Starter turns over once, then - nothing. No matter how long I waited, or how many times I tried, the exact same thing happens every time. Got back home, and a few hours later tried it again (engine is nice and cool by now), but still the same result.
The battery, a 2 year-old gel-cell is fine. I installed a Guest onboard charger a few years ago, and keep it plugged in when the boat is out of the water. All the electronics work fine, and I can tell by the pitch of the blower if the battery is drained or running low.
Before I shell out about $200 for a new starter, are there any bench tests I can do to check it? I just pulled the starter and it doesn't have a burnt smell, but I'm guessing that getting 12 years out of one is probably longer than most.
Now the real kicker. If the bench test works, what else could it be? I've read about hydro-lock in a post or two, but if that were the case, it would seem that the starter would not be able to turn the engine at all. As I said, each time I tried, it sounded like it would engage the flywheel and the starter would make 1 or maybe 2 revolutions before dying.
Also, is it worth having the starter rebuilt? Obviously, I'd want a reputable marine mechanic to do it if possible, as I'm not fond of the idea of sparks in the bilge. If so, where could I find someone? Seems like every time I ask a local marine repair shop to do this kind of thing, they won't touch it unless you bring the boat in and they do the whole 9 yards. And if a rebuild is going to be about $150 or so, I rather pay the extra and get a new one.
Thanks,
John
1994 7.4L Merc Bravo I, with 522.6 hours. I've always been a real "by the book" guy with all the boats I've owned, and do all the routine maintenance on schedule, per specs, and use "genuine Mercruiser parts and accessories". I finished up my spring preps this weekend, which involved cranking the engine 3 times, on the trailer, with the water muffs. No problems cranking the engine at all.
Hit the lake this morning and the starter dragged just a bit at first, but then cranked normally. We rode for about 10 minutes to a cove for a quick swim and to lather on the suntan lotion. When I went to crank it again, the starter turned once, then nothing. Waited a few minutes and tried it again, but got the same result. Checked the cables & contacts. They were clean, but ran some sandpaper over them to be sure. Hooked 'em back up, and got the same thing. Starter turns over once, then - nothing. No matter how long I waited, or how many times I tried, the exact same thing happens every time. Got back home, and a few hours later tried it again (engine is nice and cool by now), but still the same result.
The battery, a 2 year-old gel-cell is fine. I installed a Guest onboard charger a few years ago, and keep it plugged in when the boat is out of the water. All the electronics work fine, and I can tell by the pitch of the blower if the battery is drained or running low.
Before I shell out about $200 for a new starter, are there any bench tests I can do to check it? I just pulled the starter and it doesn't have a burnt smell, but I'm guessing that getting 12 years out of one is probably longer than most.
Now the real kicker. If the bench test works, what else could it be? I've read about hydro-lock in a post or two, but if that were the case, it would seem that the starter would not be able to turn the engine at all. As I said, each time I tried, it sounded like it would engage the flywheel and the starter would make 1 or maybe 2 revolutions before dying.
Also, is it worth having the starter rebuilt? Obviously, I'd want a reputable marine mechanic to do it if possible, as I'm not fond of the idea of sparks in the bilge. If so, where could I find someone? Seems like every time I ask a local marine repair shop to do this kind of thing, they won't touch it unless you bring the boat in and they do the whole 9 yards. And if a rebuild is going to be about $150 or so, I rather pay the extra and get a new one.
Thanks,
John