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How much damage from mixed spark plug wires?

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SteveMcG

New member
Just picked up my new boat Friday. A 2001 Starcraft islander with 3.0L mercruiser. It ran beautifully on our test drive Wednesday. The seller and I did a compression test before we finalized the deal. Tried to start it today. Turned over w couple times then starter would whine but not turn it over. Looked inside and the seller had mixed up the wires. He had placed the main wire to the cap on the second spark plug in he motor and had the second spark plug wire into the center of the distributor. How bad is it? Can't get to a mechanic until Tuesday. Hoping for the best, ie. I have to replace the starter only.

Thanks
 
motor could not run with the coil to the spark plug post.So guessing just the starter went bad or if it dosent crank over ,a hydro-lock condition
 
Fully charge the battery and put the wires where they belong and it should start. Probably not enough juice to engage the starter pinion into the flywheel?
 
Got it checked out yesterday. The mechanic said that a bolt on the starter was broken off and that he couldn't find it in the bilge or with a magnet. Said he would have to pull the motor to find it. $300 just to lift the motor. Make sense? I hope the previous owner takes some responsibility here. Thanks for your input. Helped me sleep a little better. Steve
 
Two bolts, easy, if one broke off it needs to be removed..........should not be to difficult.

May take some time but the remaining part of the bolt should easily unscrew from block with the right tools..
 
SteveMcG said:
a bolt on the starter was broken off and that he couldn't find it in the bilge or with a magnet. Said he would have to pull the motor to find it. $300 just to lift the motor. Make sense? .... Steve
Click to expand...

Further kghost's post...
If HEAD (i.e. outside of the starter) of bolt is missing, no need to find it. No way it could get into engine or any place it could do harm (unless it interferes with an uncaged bilge float switch). MOST boats over a few years old have more than a bit of stray hardware in the bilge. If part that is threaded into block is missing, then an issue... unless of course it was never there. If it recently got broken off, then kghost's procedure is the way to go.
 
Last edited:
sandkicker said:
Further kghost's post...
If HEAD (i.e. outside of the starter) of bolt is missing, no need to find it. No way it could get into engine or any place it could do harm (unless it interferes with an uncaged bilge float switch). MOST boats over a few years old have more than a bit of stray hardware in the bilge. If part that is threaded into block is missing, then an issue... unless of course it was never there. If it recently got broken off, then kghost's procedure is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Thats what I was wondering, why worry about a piece of bolt rolling around the bottom of the boat? As this mechanic is a friend of my dads, I am hoping he is only doing what is necessary, and charging me accordingly.

Thanks again for the insight.

Steve
 
it takes about 2 hours to prep an engine for lifting
Disconnect the battery
Remove the starter and examine the block to see if its broken off or if there is a stub you can remove.
You can try welding a bolt to the broken off section by using a plain steel bolt smaller than the hole. Wrap the bolt in tape and use saran wrap on the end of the bolt 2 or 3 layers.
If you have electronic components remove them .
Using the battery attach the positive battery post to the block and attach the neg post to the bolt.
NOW PAY ATTENTION
Have a second helper ready to remove the connection to the battery at the instant you tap the bolt with enough force to penetrate the saran wrap and attempt to weld it to the broken bolt.
 
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