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Engine making horrible noise

S

sippycup

New member
I have a 1976 175hp omc inboard/outboard. I made the mistake of leaving it out during a huge rain storm. After I drained the water and changed the oil I started the engine and it sounded just like the bendix on the starter was sticking and grinding on the flywheel. I removed the starter and laid it in the floor, still connected to the solenoid. I operated the starter many times and it works perfectly. The engine sounds fine cranking but as soon as it starts, it sounds like two gears running together that shouldn't be. The flywheel still had some water on it. The boat ran perfectly before the storm, so I'm thinking something got wet, rusted and is stuck. What else could make this noise. Thank you in advance for your help.
 
boatdoc55 said:
Is the drive down???
Click to expand...
As soon as the engine starts I turn it off. I haven't tried to put it in gear. Everything was working perfectly before the rain. I am looking at a few options to narrow the problem. First, remove belt for water pump and alternator and rule these out. I was not sure how the flywheel transfers power to the lower unit. I was thinking there may be some sort of centrifugal clutch, but from what I can gather it appears to be a straight drive. Was also wondering if the starter could be sticking to the flywheel because of rust. I cranked on the engine with the coil wire removed to maybe clear this. It really sounds like if you turn the key over with the engine running. Thank you for your help.
 
MikDee said:
It sounds like your starter solenoid is bad, staying on when it should release after starting.
Click to expand...
Not the solenoid. I left the starter connected to the solenoid, removed starter from block, laid it in the floor and operated it many times. Of course it wasn't under the load of turning the flywheel, but it operated flawlessly. Is it possible that the solenoid would stick if it were turning the flywheel vs. free wheeling in the floor of the boat?
 
hystat said:
but was the drive down?
Click to expand...
The drive was lowered all the way down, if that is what you're asking. If you're asking, was the drive working properly, yes it was. My buddy suggests that we start the engine and put it in gear to see if this stops the grinding noise. I want to find out more about the problem before we try this.
 
The solenoid is the part that pushes the starter gear out, and into the flywheel when you turn the Key to "Crank". When you release the key to the "Run" position, the power shuts off, and it settles back into it's housing. It's like a large electromagnet, so something is keeping the solenoid from releasing, do you have the wires crossed? figure it out?
 
MikDee said:
The solenoid is the part that pushes the starter gear out, and into the flywheel when you turn the Key to "Crank". When you release the key to the "Run" position, the power shuts off, and it settles back into it's housing. It's like a large electromagnet, so something is keeping the solenoid from releasing, do you have the wires crossed? figure it out?
Click to expand...
Yep!

In 1976, it may be possible that this is a Bendix style starter motor... rather than a solenoid kick-out style.

Here's an older Bendix style. The soleniod is used as a contactor only..... aka magnetic switch.
High speed and quick armature torque is what kicks the pinion gear out into the flywheel.

images






images




Here's a later starter motor using the solenoid as both an electro-magnetic lever action kick-out device, and a contactor... aka magnetic switch.
As Mik said.... with these, the spring loaded plunger brings the pinion gear back into the housing once the power is cut.
attachment.php




A Bendix style is more likely to leave the pinion gear engaged.




.
 
Last edited:
RicardoMarine said:
Yep!

In 1976, it may be possible that this is a Bendix style starter motor... rather than a solenoid kick-out style.

Here's an older Bendix style. The soleniod is used as a contactor only..... aka magnetic switch.
High speed and quick armature torque is what kicks the pinion gear out into the flywheel.

images






images




Here's a later starter motor using the solenoid as both an electro-magnetic lever action kick-out device, and a contactor... aka magnetic switch.
As Mik said.... with these, the spring loaded plunger brings the pinion gear back into the housing once the power is cut.
attachment.php




A Bendix style is more likely to leave the pinion gear engaged.




.
Click to expand...
Yes it is a bendix style starter, the solenoid is only used as a switch. As I said before, the starter works perfectly connected to the solenoid/switch, removed from the engine block, laying on the floor of the boat. The bendix moves in and out every time. I do not think the starter/bendix is causing the noise, since it works perfectly removed from the engine block. I was looking for anything else that could make a similar noise. Or am I over looking the starter, since it operates flawlessly laying in the floor of the boat.Thanks for your help.
 
check oil level and condition in the intermediate housing. (upper and lower too) How do the ball gears look?
 
hystat said:
check oil level and condition in the intermediate housing. (upper and lower too) How do the ball gears look?
Click to expand...
Ok thank you, that is where I will check next. Very busy at work, should investigate later this week. I will report findings. Thanks again.
 
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