Starter cranks but won't engage

diggin2day1

Went to start the engine(2002 mercruiser 350 horizon FWC) for the first time today after winter storage and the starter turns but will not engage the flywheel. Has me thinking... the starter on the same side as the manifold that had the pinhole leak in it. UGH!!!

reneechris14

1/2 inch socket comes right out discount battery frist and take the wires off when it's unbolted.putting it in is the tough part,left hand holding starter and start bolt with the same hand.I did it 3 times on my 270.God I miss that boat.342 gave me a bunch of problems today,back at it tomorrow 

diggin2day1

Should I just replace or is there any type of maintenance/repair I can do to it? Any recommendations on where to buys a new one?

Lake_Bum

On trucks, the first thing I do to a starter when its not working right, is hit it with a hammer (not kidding) 

diggin2day1

Lake_Bum said:

On trucks, the first thing I do to a starter when its not working right, is hit it with a hammer (not kidding) 

Tried it... not joking(used a rubber mallet though!!)

Black_Diamond

You might get lucky and free up the gear that slides forward to engage. 

diggin2day1

I am going to get after it tomorrow... the admiral won't let me work on it today!!!

Willhound

Could be the solenoid is just stuck after sitting for the winter. If you can reach in where the starter gear is located and spray some electrical cleaner, maybe even brake cleaner (well ventilated of course) and give it time to evaporate it might free it up without having to remove the starter?

212rowboat

Nah if it's spinning but not engaging it's the stator froze up... tapping it often works, also hitting start for a split second as many as a dozen times sometimes frees it.  If the cog isn't kicking out to engage after all that, then it's time to swap it.  Hire a contortionist.  

rasbury

Being marine it is well sealed so I'd say it has to come out- would for sure keep bumping that ignition and hope it frees- @212rowboat must have had the same experience I had!

99270fv

may try getting a little oil or wd40 on the starter bendix to free it up

diggin2day1

New starter is on the way.... 

Willhound

Ouch! Ya, fer sure....

randy56

Damm diggin that looks rotten. 

diggin2day1

Yep, it was right under the manifold that had the pinhole last season... better to find this out now!

J3ff

Geezuz, that looks worse than the one on my motor which was 10+ years old. 

Dream_Inn

Wow!  Some salt water definitely ran on that for a while!  Glad you found it now!

reneechris14

See comes out easy,going back in well??
Differently time to retire.

diggin2day1

Yeah, came out pretty easy... let's see how well it goes back in!! 

diggin2day1

New starter was delivered today and was installed in the boat 20 minutes later... honestly not too bad of a job. She started right up after her long winter nap, got up to temp and made me very happy. Now off to build more steps and try and get my boat ready for splash... just not enough time in the day!!!