Annoying fault developed : Starter VP AQ170A gasoline engine

[Refueler]

Middle last year - I had the starter motor revamped ... turned key and nothing.

We found that the solenoid was duff and not engaging the starter.

Replaced solenoid - then we had starter cog not always meshing with ring gear ... starter away for checks ... rebuilt with new cog etc ... refitted ... all fine for a few days - then again I could turn key 5x and 2 or 3x out of those would be just a grating sound as starter was not meshing properly.

For the last week or so of use and other day when I started engine to run Anti-freeze through the system ... when engine did not start - I would turn off key - but starter would still be energised ... only way to stop it - was to shut off batterys main switches.

Before anyone asks ... the boat has two 80A/hr identical batterys. Each has the neg terminals common to the engine block / instrument panel.
Each battery +pos goes to a separate single action HD switch .... but I am suspicious that the batterys +pos also go to the starter - using the solenoid as the 'switch' - such that my turning key causes the switch to close as its intended ... turning key OFF appears to not make solenoid open the circuit as it should.

Thoughts ???

My idea is to go ahead and buy a complete new starter with solenoid .... thinking that maybe repairs were not as successful as expected.

 

[Seastoke]

What about the starter ring

 

[Refueler]

What about the starter ring

Initially I thought that was the fault ... but I started to wonder if the solenoid is playing games .... if the solenoid is not engaging the cog fully .. and when it does - maybe not disengaging properly ...

I've just ordered a new complete starter and solenoid ... 130 euros ... should arrive end first week january ... then I'll find out.

 

[oldgit]

Do what everybody else does regards boats , throw money at it until either problem goes away or you run out of money ?
Always have plausible set of reasons and entirely reasonable collection of excuses on hand to explain any unusual outgoings on the bank accounts and try to be as vague as possible if interrogated by ones significant other.
A warning, any incautious answer might be remembered when you are reluctant to fork out for ....a new washing machine, or ridiculously expensive new Amercian fridge freezer etc.

 

[Refueler]

Other 'alf loves the boat - so no worries there.

 

[oldgit]

My other advice would be to buy a diesel as soon as possible.
All petrol boats usually have engine immaculate compartments that you could eat your dinner off, however there is always something electrical waiting to fail at inopportune moments, usually in those vital starting and ignition depts.
Unless brand new, diesel boats have the designed in ability of ensuring a fine layer of diesel over everything , providing a free and useful barrier to moisture and therefore preventing rust and corrosion on all electrical bits and pieces, ?
Basically a method of giving everything a coat of WD40 without effort from the skipper.

 

[Grubble]

All petrol boats usually have engine immaculate compartments that you could eat your dinner off, however there is always something electrical waiting to fail at inopportune moments, usually in those vital starting and ignition depts.

Absolute nonsense as usual. Everyone on the forum knows that petrol boats will have exploded long before they have a chance to not start due to an electrical fault. And even in the unlikely event that the boat doesn't explode, but instead starts and runs like a Swiss watch, the outdrive will simply have melted on contact with the water, rendering the boat unusable as anything other than a very expensive floating caravan (complete with gaudy blue underwater lights).

 

[Refueler]

My engine bay bilge is - to put it truthfully - filthy !!

I reckon when the previous guy switched out the 4cyl for the 6cyl engine - he never cleaned up after.

I do plan to clean it up ... and have fleeting thoughts of painting the engine !!