Missing flywheel teeth

Sunbeam lodge · 05-20-2012, 07:35 PM

While trying to start the boat after the winter It sounds like the starter is grinding the teeth on the flywheel
. I had the same problem last year but now the starter just whirs and does not connect to the flywheel teeth. I put a new starter on last year.
I am going to have the motor pulled and see if I need a new flywheel.
Any idea of the cost?
It is a 1996 Bravo 3 Merc with 600 hours on the engine

trfour · 05-20-2012, 07:55 PM

SL, I'd check the starter to make sure that the mounting bolts are tight. If they are tight, remove the starter and check to see if the Bendix drive is working and not stripped. Then turn the engine over by hand, use a mirror if you have to to check for missing teeth on the ring gear.
I had one that sounded like the ring gear was missing teeth, and all it was was a loose starter, the mounting bolts had loosened up.

Good luck.

Terry
_______________________________

Baja Guy · 05-22-2012, 04:14 PM

Also check that your battery is fully charged and that the electrical contacts are clean and tight.
Hope it's that easy!

Charlie T · 05-22-2012, 04:48 PM

If you are missing teeth on the flywheel you will most likely just need to replace the "ring gear" rather than the entire flywheel. Any compentent auto maching shop ( if you can find one) should be able to handle that. Most marine engines use a heavy flywheel similar to a manual transmission automotive unit.

Good Luck

Charlie T

Dave R · 05-22-2012, 07:38 PM

Will this work: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCRUISER-F...f2f3c0&vxp=mtr ? You never mentioned what engine you have.

codeman671 · 05-22-2012, 07:41 PM

Wow, car, boat and plumbing problems? Sounds like you are off to a rough start this season.

Don't break the Yamaha!

Rangervx · 05-22-2012, 08:53 PM

i see over 5000 cars at my auto repair shop a year and can only remember 1 car over the last 2 years that had a flywheel issue related to stripped teeth. if i was to guess what your issue is...flywheel would be the absolute last...no question. things at the top of the list would include defective starter/solenoid...battery and or cable connections...starter shims...ignition wiring. if you can replace your starter...you can remove and inspect flywheel and bench test starter...start there. if not...i agree above where a qualified mechanic can diagnose in 1 hr or less...

Rangervx · 05-22-2012, 08:57 PM

after re-reading your post...why would you pull your motor to inspect your flywheel??? pull the starter and turn engine over by hand to inspect flywheel. i can only think of a couple reasons to pull motor...inspect flywheel is not one...

05-20-2012, 07:35 PM	#1
Sunbeam lodge Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith/Naples Florida Posts: 365 Thanks: 135 Thanked 49 Times in 25 Posts	Missing flywheel teeth While trying to start the boat after the winter It sounds like the starter is grinding the teeth on the flywheel . I had the same problem last year but now the starter just whirs and does not connect to the flywheel teeth. I put a new starter on last year. I am going to have the motor pulled and see if I need a new flywheel. Any idea of the cost? It is a 1996 Bravo 3 Merc with 600 hours on the engine

05-20-2012, 07:55 PM	#2
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	SL, I'd check the starter to make sure that the mounting bolts are tight. If they are tight, remove the starter and check to see if the Bendix drive is working and not stripped. Then turn the engine over by hand, use a mirror if you have to to check for missing teeth on the ring gear. I had one that sounded like the ring gear was missing teeth, and all it was was a loose starter, the mounting bolts had loosened up. Good luck. Terry _______________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html Last edited by trfour; 05-21-2012 at 08:20 AM.

05-22-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
Baja Guy Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 45 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Also check that your battery is fully charged and that the electrical contacts are clean and tight. Hope it's that easy! __________________ 1989 Baja Sunsport 196, Mercruiser 5.7, For Sale 1987 Formula 223 LS with 1997 350 Mag

05-22-2012, 04:48 PM	#4
Charlie T Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 303 Thanks: 248 Thanked 178 Times in 84 Posts	Missing Teeth If you are missing teeth on the flywheel you will most likely just need to replace the "ring gear" rather than the entire flywheel. Any compentent auto maching shop ( if you can find one) should be able to handle that. Most marine engines use a heavy flywheel similar to a manual transmission automotive unit. Good Luck Charlie T

05-22-2012, 07:38 PM	#5
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	Will this work: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCRUISER-F...f2f3c0&vxp=mtr ? You never mentioned what engine you have.

05-22-2012, 07:41 PM	#6
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,360 Thanks: 209 Thanked 764 Times in 448 Posts	Wow, car, boat and plumbing problems? Sounds like you are off to a rough start this season. Don't break the Yamaha!

05-22-2012, 08:53 PM	#7
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	i see over 5000 cars at my auto repair shop a year and can only remember 1 car over the last 2 years that had a flywheel issue related to stripped teeth. if i was to guess what your issue is...flywheel would be the absolute last...no question. things at the top of the list would include defective starter/solenoid...battery and or cable connections...starter shims...ignition wiring. if you can replace your starter...you can remove and inspect flywheel and bench test starter...start there. if not...i agree above where a qualified mechanic can diagnose in 1 hr or less...

05-22-2012, 08:57 PM	#8
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	after re-reading your post...why would you pull your motor to inspect your flywheel??? pull the starter and turn engine over by hand to inspect flywheel. i can only think of a couple reasons to pull motor...inspect flywheel is not one...

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Winnisquamguy (05-23-2012)