787 Starter Went Bad

[USAF_Pride]

It appears to be a little busy in the forums tonight. I assume it is the normal end of weekend "this is what broke". I took my boat out this weekend and the port engine was having issues starting. Engaging the start button resulted in hearing the starter whine, but the engine not turning over. Eventually I could get it to catch and start, but I knew what I was doing tonight. I am ordering another one, but my concern is that it appears that there is moisture inside the bell housing and I am unsure how to get it out. (I only need the starter clutch assembly as the motor spins like a banshee. I figure I can get it running and have a spare)

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? The motor runs great once it started, but obviously there is water where it shouldn't be. I apologize for the bad pic of the bell housing, but it isn't the easiest place to get too.

Thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

You need to take the MAG cover off, and check the damage. If you don't clean it now... the damage will continue, and destroy the next starter, and the electrical parts in the MAG.

Basically... that engine was under water at one point, and it leaked into the MAG housing.

 

[Coastiejoe]

When you put it back together use some marine grease on the O-ring seal. It helps with the install and removal as well as keep outside moisture on the out side.

If it sinks, well,,,, that's a different story.

 

[USAF_Pride]

You need to take the MAG cover off, and check the damage. If you don't clean it now... the damage will continue, and destroy the next starter, and the electrical parts in the MAG.

Basically... that engine was under water at one point, and it leaked into the MAG housing.

That is what I was afraid I was going to hear. How much work is it to get the MAG housing off with the motor still in the boat (98 Speedster)?

 

[Dr Honda]

It's not too bad. There are a hand full of bolts around the housing, that have a 10mm head on them. If you have an 1800 speedster... you have 800 engines, and the front engine mount is on it. That will need undone, and the exhaust removed.

If you have 720 engines... it will just come off.

 

[USAF_Pride]

It's not too bad. There are a hand full of bolts around the housing, that have a 10mm head on them. If you have an 1800 speedster... you have 800 engines, and the front engine mount is on it. That will need undone, and the exhaust removed.

If you have 720 engines... it will just come off.

My day just got better.. Not!! Of course I have the 800 engines. If I remove that mount, do I need to re-align the motor?

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

no, just make sure you put the shims (if any) back underneath it. Prop it up with a block of wood or something from the bottom so as not to bend the driveshaft. It sounds like your starter may be okay, and that your bendix just needs to be cleaned/lubed. Looks pretty dusty in the pic. They come right off if you take 1 or 2 c-clips off the starter shaft. They are also a cheap item to replace if you want to go that route.

 

[USAF_Pride]

no, just make sure you put the shims (if any) back underneath it. Prop it up with a block of wood or something from the bottom so as not to bend the driveshaft. It sounds like your starter may be okay, and that your bendix just needs to be cleaned/lubed. Looks pretty dusty in the pic. They come right off if you take 1 or 2 c-clips off the starter shaft. They are also a cheap item to replace if you want to go that route.

Thanks for the response. The bendix is pretty much shot as the gear is no longer attached the body; thus the starter "whine". I ordered a cheap replacement knowing that just the bendix was bad. I figured I could always swap out the bendix and have a spare. It sounds like one of my winter projects should be pulling the other starter and MAG cover off to see what is in there.

 

[racerxxx]

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I had mine off to remove my oil pump drive when I switched to pre mix. Remove the hatch to make your life easy. Remove the mount from the hull use plenty of WD-40 and work the screws out. Throw a chunk of 2X4 under the engine to help hold it up.




REPEAT----

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dr Honda]

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I had mine off to remove my oil pump drive when I switched to pre mix. Remove the hatch to make your life easy. Remove the mount from the hull use plenty of WD-40 and work the screws out. Throw a chunk of 2X4 under the engine to help hold it up.




REPEAT----

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No... but a few more bolts, and it makes life easier while cleaning.

 

[USAF_Pride]

No... but a few more bolts, and it makes life easier while cleaning.

I scoped it out last night and I am definetely taking the exhaust off. Although it may be possible to leave it on, the older I have become, I am not as flexible and the extra 10 minutes of removal will probably result in a happier me. There is barely enough room to work on that motor with the oil tank right there as well. I did have an idea last night and ran a plastic tube down into the opening and tried sucking any fluid that may be floating around in the bottom. I was unable to produce any liquid and everything appears to be dry. I am going to run some air through the hole to make sure it is dried out, but everything I ran down into the bottom came out dry. We only have three more weekends of boating up here (and I probably will only use it one of the three), so I probably will risk the cleaning until I winterize the boat and pull both sides off. Unless you think otherwise

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

my 2 cents: removing and reinstalling the exhaust is the biggest PITA these machines have to offer. i tend to avoid it at all costs

 

[USAF_Pride]

Well, I swapped out the one starter and it turns over better than it ever has. For giggles, I hit the start button on the other (starboard) motor and that starter sounded funny and wouldn't turn the motor over. Pulled that starter out and it looked very clean. Put it on the battery charger to test it out and it spins up really nice, but the bendix doesn't stay engaged. Ughh, good thing we were not using the boat this weekend.

I would also like to have a discussion with the engineer who decided that the bottom starter bolt should thread into the starter. If they would have made that bottom starter bolt thread into the housing from the opposite direction, it sure would have been easier to remove!!

 

[racerxxx]

Well, I swapped out the one starter and it turns over better than it ever has. For giggles, I hit the start button on the other (starboard) motor and that starter sounded funny and wouldn't turn the motor over. Pulled that starter out and it looked very clean. Put it on the battery charger to test it out and it spins up really nice, but the bendix doesn't stay engaged. Ughh, good thing we were not using the boat this weekend.

I would also like to have a discussion with the engineer who decided that the bottom starter bolt should thread into the starter. If they would have made that bottom starter bolt thread into the housing from the opposite direction, it sure would have been easier to remove!!

Did you remove the hatch?

 

[USAF_Pride]

Did you remove the hatch?

I have not. The hatch really isn't in the way as I am sitting in the engine compartment. The problem is the hull curves in a little there and you can't get an extension on, nor does it allow much room to turn a ratchet. I will be heading to Harbor Freight on Monday to get longer allen sockets than what I have to help me get the exhaust off. The longer allens may help with that bottom bolt also.

 

[racerxxx]

If I'm doing anything other than changing the spark plugs and removing/installing the battery--she's off. @ 6'2" I can't really "sit" in the engine compartment if you know what I mean.

It's an easy boat to work on, once you know what tools you need, LOL.

 

[USAF_Pride]

If I'm doing anything other than changing the spark plugs and removing/installing the battery--she's off. @ 6'2" I can't really "sit" in the engine compartment if you know what I mean.

It's an easy boat to work on, once you know what tools you need, LOL.

I'm the same height as you. Even with the cover off, it wouldn't fix the no space to use a ratchet issue. Honestly, both the top and the bottom bolts could be threaded into the housing instead of into the starter.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

you guys just gave me a great idea! You're absolutely right about the starter being less of a PITA if it had studs. I'm goign to put them on there next time I got to remove it. THANKS!! :thumbsup: