How long to change out a Starter Motor

[z1ppy]

Afternoon.

i am the first to admit i am not technically minded but i do know one end of a spanner from the other and can use them if i have to.

Now this is a loose question but how long do you think is reasonable for a marine engineer to take to change out a starter motor on a single inboard engine. access to the engine bay is good although you couldnt stand beside the engine to work (must be done by reaching over the top and from the front.

starter motor is towards the stern of the boat..

i was thinking 3 hours tops??? does that seem reasonable??

thanks
Zippy.

 

[aquapower]

3 hours usually more than enough to change most starter motors, what engine are we talking about here? Is there any major dismantling needed for access?

 

[Nautorius]

Afternoon.

i am the first to admit i am not technically minded but i do know one end of a spanner from the other and can use them if i have to.

Now this is a loose question but how long do you think is reasonable for a marine engineer to take to change out a starter motor on a single inboard engine. access to the engine bay is good although you couldnt stand beside the engine to work (must be done by reaching over the top and from the front.

starter motor is towards the stern of the boat..

i was thinking 3 hours tops??? does that seem reasonable??

thanks
Zippy.

had one done in 1.5 hrs two weeks ago

He took his time as well!

Paul

 

[EugeneR]

1.5 hours on a boat with a similar layout i.e. single engine and have to hang upside down over the engine to reach it.

C'mon, how much were you quoted / charged???

 

[oldgit]

Provided no problems,any decent DIYer should swap a basic starter motor with simple wiring in moderately difficult position in under an hour.

 

[Seahope]

Provided no problems,any decent DIYer should swap a basic starter motor with simple wiring in moderately difficult position in under an hour.

Well, I couldn't change mine myself. It took me ages to work out how to go about it since there was a large plate covering it. The professional charged me for 4 hours including travel time.

 

[andy59]

On a mercruiser 5.7 ltr v8 , finding the right size spanners 1.5 hours , ... actually changing starter motor about 40 mins

 

[moonraker 36]

On a mercruiser 5.7 ltr v8 , finding the right size spanners 1.5 hours , ... actually changing starter motor about 40 mins

on some 5.7l v8 engine's.. the starter motor as to be shimed.so that the bendix engage's the ring gear in a particular way..you generally have to remove the engine from the boat!!!
maybe a couple of day's work!!!!
ask me how i no this!!

 

[andy59]

Cricky i was lucky then , didnt have any further problems with it , mine was an old one with dual barrel carb .

 

[moonraker 36]

i think mine is around '86.
the bolt hole patern on the starter as something to do with it.
some block's were built in mexico and this might have something todo with it aswell.
end up putting a chevy car starter on(i no it should be marine) ,as the plantary gear on the mercusier one's kepted getting distroyed(compression 150psi-210psi tuned engine).

 

[Converging]

Did it ast year - 1 hour

 

[nimbusgb]

Perkins 4-108 in a cramped and inaccessible yacht engine 'room' with the room temperature in the high 30's. Took me all of 30 minutes to get the old one out and about 20 to fit the new one.

I did need two cans of Heineken to replace the lost fluids however.

 

[RobHom]

Perkins 4-108 in a cramped and inaccessible yacht engine 'room' with the room temperature in the high 30's. Took me all of 30 minutes to get the old one out and about 20 to fit the new one.

That's about how long it took me to replace the starter on my old 4-108 in the sailboat we used to own ( OK, I admit it...I used to own one ) I think it took me about as long to get in position down through a seat hatch to the engine compartment...

I did need two cans of Heineken to replace the lost fluids however.

Oh, at least... and I most certainly can relate!!

Frankly...though I have no idea what your mechanics/technicians charge per hour...but having an idea of what went into the job considering it was a gas engine and the clearances and having to reach over and around.... I probably would have been happy to pay the four hours. The last gas boat I had was a 454 big block with a Bravo 2 drive - 15 years ago....and even with the room in that compartment it would have been a royal pain to change out the starter.... Happy I never had to do it!!

 

[ian38_39]

i think mine is around '86.
the bolt hole patern on the starter as something to do with it.
some block's were built in mexico and this might have something todo with it aswell.
end up putting a chevy car starter on(i no it should be marine) ,as the plantary gear on the mercusier one's kepted getting distroyed(compression 150psi-210psi tuned engine).

If it is petrol please do not even think about using a car derivative as they are not spark protected.

 

[RobHom]

If it is petrol please do not even think about using a car derivative as they are not spark protected.

AMEN!! to that!!!!

Here is a link to a fire in Kemah, TX not long ago.....a gas boat....where the fumes got set off....while it was in its slip....can't help but wonder what caused it...maybe a non-marine starter???

http://www.kemahfire.com/photos_20070325_marina_fire.asp

Page down to the pictures at the bottom of the page.....and please replace the started with one that is ignition/spark protected....

 

[moonraker 36]

If it is petrol please do not even think about using a car derivative as they are not spark protected.

i no that's what i said..
but the mercrusier starter wont do the job!
but car one is twice the size and twice as strong..BUT I'M NOT RECOMMENDING ANYONE ELSE .to use the car one..
i run this starter at my own risk..

 

[Lakesailor]

It's pretty pointless comparing times as there are so many variables.
The same engine in different installations. Are the bolts into tapped threads or do they have nuts on the other end. Are all bolts accessible. Are the electrical connections push-fit or tricky to undo nuts. Do fuel lines, oil filters or exhausts get in the way.

When I had a garage some cars were a doddle (Vauxhall Viva) some a nightmare (Rover 2000TC or Lancia Fulvia). And that's without seized or broken bolts.

 

[z1ppy]

Well. Not had the bill yet but..... 2 men, took the keys from the office at 11.30 and returned them at 15.30.

I make that 8 man hours!!! Could be an interesting discussion when the bill comes!

 

[cadser]

I have a 3lt mercruiser in my tub. It is only 5 years old. It had not been out before. All the bolts were seized in and would not move. The whole engine had to come out and a great deal of heat applied to get the bolts to move.

Needless to say it cost a bob or two.

Luck of the draw on how long it will take.

Hope you have better luck than me.

 

[Kawasaki]

i think mine is around '86.
the bolt hole patern on the starter as something to do with it.

Yep, than can be a nuisance sometimes
Access can be dreadfull.
Plus , if the 'awkward' bolt is seized, it's a beggar.
I have made a 'special' tool sometimes to get a decent hold or 'turn' on said offender.
I had to replace the starter motor on me own boat in 2004.
What a script!!
I rang the manufacturer
Asked if it was actually possible with the engine in situ!
The bod answered.
'Yep'
I said -- 'How'
He said.
'Yer have ter stand on yer head mate'!
20ft Bayliner bowrider earlier this year.
Took me 4 hours
One bolt was a beggar, seized and access terrible.
Mercruiser 'lump' in another American boat a few weeks ago
45 mins!
As Lakey said (been in the car trade too) sometimes it's a doddle but there are so many variables