4.3 Mercruiser Starting

[Phil Chieco]

Hello,

Just recently I noticed that when I initially start the boat for the first time after sitting for a week or so, the engine turns over slowly on first key turn as if therer is a pause then it speeds up on the second or third try. Once running throughout the day it starts up very easy. The battery is brand new but I have no idea how old the starter is. It's a 2002 Searay 182 BR. Could it be that my starter is starting to fail and how would I check that. Also, can you provide some steps in removing and replacing one. Thank you.

 

[jtybt15]

Dirty connections. Remove, wire brush all connector surfaces and smear some di-electric(silicone) grease
on everything to protect the connections from air and water. Don'e for get the ground connections to the block and ground connections around the starter. Don't be one of the lazy ones and say it looks clean or good. The important areas are the surfaces that can't be seen.

The brushes can also be a problem. They're not hard to replace but removing the starter is always a PITA.

 

[Sandy]

Adding to that good advice , I'll suggest after the boat has been sitting for that week or so take your multi-tester and check voltage right at the batteries in case there is parasitic loss going on from unswitched stereo memory circuit , bilge pump(s) cycling or similar ..

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/voltchart1.gif

 

[Sandy]

Then you could check starting voltage drop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0OtjG4bwJg

Same test at the battery connections:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry68G0C2Fyc The subsequent video can help too.

A quick search will provide plenty of similar voltage drop test tutorials.