Fish-Hawk.Net

Hi everyone here is good question and perhaps mikemicropterus could answer this one for me as I can see you are very knowledgeable with Merc’s.

Question; I have a 1993 Mercury outboard 135 HP and last year I noticed that when I tried to start the motor it seemed like it wouldn’t fire but just “spin”…obviously and I’m sure that’s not the proper technical term but anyway. After a few times it's Ok and it starts but when I want to start it again later again it starts to spin. Before it would start no problem and i didn't have that spinning issue.

Now I have to be honest and say I didn’t get the spark plugs replaced last year, so yes that doesn’t help but I wanted to know if you think its just a case of replacing the plugs or is it perhaps something else??

Many thanks

BBD

By "spinning" do you actually get the engine to turn over (with compression)? Or is there just a "spinning" noise when you try to start? If it is the latter, you might have worn out your starter. The teeth on the starter get worn down and don't always catch on the crank when you try to start (hence the "spinning" without a start. Once in a while some of the teeth on the starter will still engage the crank and that is why you can still get it to start sometimes. Try starting the engine with the cover off and watch where the starter motor engages the crank, you should be able to see then if this is the problem.

Good luck.

p.s. change your plugs anyway...it's just good practice

Yep, you nailed it "just a "spinning" noise when I try to start it and yes correct once in while it starts no problem and then the "spining noise without compression.

Just out of curiousity how much do you think it would cost to have the starter replaced? It's a 1993 Procraft. Just ball park and who could you recomend? My boat is in Arprior right now but I can trailer it no problem.

BBD

You'd be better off calling a boat dealer/marina and getting a quote with all of your motor info. I don't have a clue. Good luck with everything.

I noticed you are in Orleans, me too. You should try Orleans Boat World (formerly GG Lalonde).

Yep still in Orleans. Yes Orleans Boat World formerly GG Lalonde was the place I used to go to for many, many years but for reasons that I will not mention here on a public open forum I have decided to look at other options for a dealer to have boat repaired.

Thanks for the tip!!



BBD

Replacing a starter............OUCH!!

The starter went on my Merc last year. Mines only a 50 H.P. & they wanted $360. for one!! I ended up gettin' a used one for exactly 1/2 that,(Still a RIP @ $180. ), from White Lake Marina. Give 'em a call, they have lots o' used stuff around, & IMHO that's the way to go!! Sure beats gettin' stuck on the water & tryin' to 'pull-start' it!!

Good Luck! Cyber Out!!

Different owner at Orleans Boat world, not same as G.G.Lalonde.

Sounds like you have dirty brushes in the starter. BBD if you are comfortable doing so, take your starter off and take it to a place specializing in alternator repairs. Most times there is no need to repalce the starter just some of the components like brushes and contacts. Over time these can get gummed up and wore out and simply by replacing the small inexpensive pieces you will save yourself hundreds of dollars.
If you do need or want to replace the whole starter motor go with SIERRA products. You will save up to 50% over brand name and they have the same warranty. SIERRA products are available through most marine supply places or at Marinas.

cheers
JP

WHOA WHOA WHOA,,,,


The end result is the starter gear spinnning BUT the battery is attached and before wagging the dog by the tail here's what I would do;;;;;;

FIRST lube the pinion gear threads,,,WD 40 or something like that...if that doesn't work

THEN


Check battery fluid and recharge then load test the battery...If that passes then I would clean and secure the battery cables.....

HERE'S the theory, if you can't get juice through the starter then the starter will not RECIEVE enough juice to throw the starter gear towards the flywheel... If the battery terminals are scaley and corrorded this can cause enough resistance to the electrons so not enough get to the starter or they get to the starter but then they can't return to the battery as the GROUND IS BAD(resistance) Clean and secure all the battery terminals I like to use nuts and star lock washers not the silly wing nuts supplied with the battery...


IF that doesn't work then the starter will have to be rebuilt meaning brushes...

I will say this MOST of the time it is NOT the starters fault but the battery connections.....Two things in the starter that would cause this are worn brushes(SELDOM) and a commutator needs to be resurfaced from arcing due to low battery or dirty connections...

It is common for apprentices to misdiagnose this problem so be sure to get the right diagnoses or you could be paying large for no reason....Any good marine dealer can rebuild this for you if necessary but make sure it is necessary....I don't recommend an "alternator shop " unless they specialize in marine which most don't, as they don't always have the same exact OEM parts.. I ran into this years ago and found there is a big difference in brushes and the brushes need to be matched with the commutator as one is suppossed to wear and the other not as much...meaning the wrong type of brushes ie the material(softer) they are made of must match the material the commmutator is made of...
If the brushes are too hard they will prematurely wear out the commutuator

hey guys....maybe i'm reading this issue wrong....but i think you're over-analysing things. His starter is spinning but the gear on top of the starter ISN'T engaging the flywheel. (least thats my take on what he's saying)

A while back I had posted a question about my motor spinning and I had received several comments on what could be causing the problem.

I'm glad to report that the information I received from Mikemicropterus was the correct awnser.

I got the main baterry cable connectors replaced made sure there was no loose connections anywhere did a load test on the main battery and the rest is history as they say.

It fired up on the first crank all the time qnd every time. It certainly turned much cheaper than going in blindly and just assuming it was the starter!!!

Thanks again Mike!



BBD

Glad to hear that you got it sorted out.

JP