preventive maintenance on starter motors as well as alternators?

[vas]

morning all,

bought off a forumite a Sterling advance charger for my service bank and since it needed a bit of tinkering to add two cables on the brushes of the alternator, I thought it would be a good idea to get it serviced and done professionally.
Indeed 20euro later I had a serviced alternator with the two cables that I need. Guy said it was okay, wasn't happy with the one ball bearing and he replaced it. Had a look at the bearing and indeed it was sort of crunching a bit at one point as I was rotating it. Was rotating freely (generally)

As a result, during the winter and when I lift the salon floor again, I'll remove the stbrd alternator and get it serviced as well, no fun doing it now.

Q is, shall I assume the same applies to starter motors? these are easy to access and remove and the stbrd one twice (but with batteries fairly low) did spin without grabbing the plate (and turning the engine). Few seconds later, it started ok.
So, worth getting them checked as well? Only problem is that I managed to mess with my back again so for a couple of weeks I'd rather not lift heavy things from awkward spots and strain it any more...

I'm monitoring coolant pumps (pulley driven) and they seem fine, no leaks I mean as I'm sure that's the next one to fail.
raw water pumps are gear driven and also clean (same as engine oil...)

Engines are IVECO 8061SRM33 6.7lt straight sixes with around 800h on the clock. Starting once or max twice a day for say two months during the summer and maybe a dozen times off season. Not really strained, and starters happy to spin the big lumps which start on the second/third rev on the crank.

cheers

V.

 

[RichardS]

Unless you actually have problems with the alternators or starters, or they need modification like your alternators did, I would leave them alone.

Bearings in alternators are susceptible to wear but you do get plenty of warning before any catastrophic failure in the form of increased whining. Starter motors will not fail due to bearing wear but more likely something like brush wear in the motor or contact burning in the solenoid. However, once again, in most cases these components will give you warning that they are on the way out.

The biggest issue with all engines is that people do not listen to what their engine is telling them.

Richard

 

[rogerthebodger]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I local "mechanic" (I am being polite) replaced the front bearing of my alteners on a Audi Turbo I had at the time.

I took it on a 400Km trip and it got through 4 vee belts in thet distance. The reduced bearing got so hot that it heated the pulley so much it melted the vee belt.

 

[vas]

thanks for the comments,

I avoid using "mechanics" for the same exact reason, it's nice to be able to just accuse yourself if something goes wrong (and being able to repair it at sea!)

Well the guy that repaired it has been repairing cars and trucks of friends for the last 20-30yrs and they are happy.
done close to 400nm in the last two weeks, everything is fine, so I call that a successful bearing repair...

My concern was the stbrd starter not "catching" the teeth on the flywheel on two occasions. But it could simply be low battery (doubt it though...)

V.

 

[TernVI]

...

My concern was the stbrd starter not "catching" the teeth on the flywheel on two occasions. But it could simply be low battery (doubt it though...)

V.

Then it is broke, so fix it while it is still fixable!

 

[vas]

Then it is broke, so fix it while it is still fixable!

2 times in 60starts, is it broke though, that's the Q!
I'll probably remove it anyway and take it to him, just two screws iirc

V.

 

[RichardS]

2 times in 60starts, is it broke though, that's the Q!
I'll probably remove it anyway and take it to him, just two screws iirc

V.

It's not broke but listen to it because it is telling you something. It might be telling you that you have a low battery, or a sticking bendix, or a dodgy solenoid .... or all of the above. It's not at a critical stage but if it were mine I'd take it out and at least have a look at it.

Richard

 

[LadyInBed]

Like Richard says, alternators spin all the time the engine is running and the bearings are subject to side pressure, the bearings and brushes are subject to to ware so will eventually need replacing.
The starter motor sits static and is only operated when you start the engine, which takes a high current, so starters are more susceptible to bad connections around the solenoid and rust on the bendix shaft, therefore periodic cleaning and lubricating should do a job.

 

[vas]

It's not broke but listen to it because it is telling you something. It might be telling you that you have a low battery, or a sticking bendix, or a dodgy solenoid .... or all of the above. It's not at a critical stage but if it were mine I'd take it out and at least have a look at it.

Richard

yeah, but my back is telling me something else over the last 10days, need to fit a stern winch for the stern lines when moored on isolated spots :-(

 

[VicS]

Q is, shall I assume the same applies to starter motors? these are easy to access and remove and the stbrd one twice (but with batteries fairly low) did spin without grabbing the plate (and turning the engine). Few seconds later, it started ok.

If you take the stsrter motor off inspect and clean the commutator and repalve th brushes if necessary

Also lubricate it where needed. The Bendix of old fashioned inertial starter motors did not require lubrication and if fact should not be lubricated when they shared the bell housing with a clutch but there are a number of places where a pre- engaged type should be lubricated

 

[vas]

thanks will come back with my findings after the w/e!

V.