Starter Question 4.3 Mercruiser J1171

Phil Chieco

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5084
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My Solenoid that sits on the starter has cracked and the starter has never been replaced. I was planning on getting a new starter but wondered if I should purchase a OEM or after market.
 
Either, just make sure they are marine versions--we don't want you to go 'BOOM" !
 
quote:

Originally posted by sugilbert

Either, just make sure they are marine versions--we don't want you to go 'BOOM" !






+1
 
A solenoid alone is probably all you need
 
Yes that's what I was thinking just replace the solenoid. I have a local repair shop that rebuilds starters I can have them put the solenoid in and check the torque on the existing starter and if all is good maybe I go that route
 
Starters are simple. You can easily replace the solenoid yourself. No torque test is necessary if it runs it is 99% OK. Just hook it up to a battery and test it before reinstalling.
 
Agreed the marine starter is simple to work on, the solenoid for these usually has a rubber gasket that should be installed.
 
Ofcourse all the above assumes that it has not been submerged in salt water
 
lol, they are marine rated but not water proof. That happened to a 3 year old starter I had installed after I had a raw water leak in the bilge. I had the old starter still in the garage so I greased up the Bendix put a new solenoid on it and used it 7 more years. Just replaced it with one of the new style mini starters (permanent magnet gear reduction style). Nice and light easy to install and cranks fast..
 
DBElectrical & Arco Marine have very good prices on replacement marine starters, if you do replace. Could be wise to compare rebuild price to that of the new starter & solenoid ass'ly.

Just make very sure you order the correct starter rotation (viewed from the starter pinion gear).... which is not necessarily the same as engine rotation as viewed from the flywheel end toward the pulley end. .

Here's Arco's helpful starter-rotation guide they've made a little harder to find on the website ( it's in the pfd. product catalogue under inboard starters.):
https://www.marinepartsexpress.com/images/starterrotation.png

The wrong rotation can suck water into the cylinders.
 
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