Question 1) My starter motor is acting up. I hear the solinoid click when I press the ignition button, but the starter does not turn over. Battery charge is good, so I figure there is corrosion on the solinoid contacts(?) or maybe my starter is dying? If I keep depressing the start button, sometimes the motor will turn over in 2 tries, and sometimes it will take more before the starter kicks on. Can the solinoid contacts be cleaned? Or is this an early warning sign that it's best to replace the starter? Since I bought the boat used, I have no idea how old the starter is. Question 2) After a relatively lengthy motor back to port, I noticed what appeared to be a steam like vapor trail comming out the exhaust - not a lot, but I have not seen this before. Is this normal for an engine that has been running under load for awhile? Before heading out, I checked the freshwater coolant level and it was OK. Is this just because the raw water output is very hot from normal engine operation, or does this indicate my engine is running hot? The idiot light for engine temp did not turn on. Any thoughts? Mike
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B
B. Smith
steam on the stern
I noticed the same thing on my Hunter 31, once it had been operating for a longer period than normal on a motor sail. At first I thought that I was frying the engine but did the same check as you did. Engine light not on, lots of coolant. I did some checking and was advised that because the water is quite hot when it is being exhausted against the cooler sea water, vapor is made. Sounds simple and I really hope that it right. I can't find anything else to check in this regard. No help with respect to your starter problems although sometimes beginning at the easiest servicing chores might resolve the problem. Good luck.
I noticed the same thing on my Hunter 31, once it had been operating for a longer period than normal on a motor sail. At first I thought that I was frying the engine but did the same check as you did. Engine light not on, lots of coolant. I did some checking and was advised that because the water is quite hot when it is being exhausted against the cooler sea water, vapor is made. Sounds simple and I really hope that it right. I can't find anything else to check in this regard. No help with respect to your starter problems although sometimes beginning at the easiest servicing chores might resolve the problem. Good luck.
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Clayton
One time I had steam and..
...it was a partially clogged water intake. Seaweed had lodged in the intake hose allowing some water through but not the normal amount. This allowed the engine to run somewhat hot and the exhaust to produce steam. Check your raw water strainer and verify that you have full flow to the strainer.
...it was a partially clogged water intake. Seaweed had lodged in the intake hose allowing some water through but not the normal amount. This allowed the engine to run somewhat hot and the exhaust to produce steam. Check your raw water strainer and verify that you have full flow to the strainer.
Start Checking.
Mike: I would start checking. You may have one of several things that could be going on. Normally you could run your engine for probably 10 mins without ANY water intake (thru hull closed) and the engine may not overheat. If you hear a sort of hollow sound in the exhaust that is because there is very little water in the muffler and you have some sort of restriction. This can start at the raw water intake, the basket strainer, etc. You may want to check everything out. Assuming that everything upto and including the impeller are OKAY, you need to check the mixing elbow. They are not that difficult to remove from the engine. You can leave it attached to the exhaust hose for the inspection. Be sure that you have a minimum of a new gasket before you start. If the elbow is clogged, you should replace it (not just a cleaning). The elbow is about $90-100 including the gasket. If the elbow is clear the last thing is your exhaust hose and muffler (but probably not the problem). Also be sure to check for soft (spongy hoses). The heat exchanger can also get clogged. If you get some of those long q-tips or even a piece of large stiff wire, you can run it through the heat exchanger to be sure that it is clear too. As far as your starter is concerned, you need to check the terminal at the starter. Be sure that this is clean. You may want to check the voltage when you try to start the boat and see if there is adequate current. Otherwise I would suggest that you take the start/solenoid to a shop and have them test and repair it as required.
Mike: I would start checking. You may have one of several things that could be going on. Normally you could run your engine for probably 10 mins without ANY water intake (thru hull closed) and the engine may not overheat. If you hear a sort of hollow sound in the exhaust that is because there is very little water in the muffler and you have some sort of restriction. This can start at the raw water intake, the basket strainer, etc. You may want to check everything out. Assuming that everything upto and including the impeller are OKAY, you need to check the mixing elbow. They are not that difficult to remove from the engine. You can leave it attached to the exhaust hose for the inspection. Be sure that you have a minimum of a new gasket before you start. If the elbow is clogged, you should replace it (not just a cleaning). The elbow is about $90-100 including the gasket. If the elbow is clear the last thing is your exhaust hose and muffler (but probably not the problem). Also be sure to check for soft (spongy hoses). The heat exchanger can also get clogged. If you get some of those long q-tips or even a piece of large stiff wire, you can run it through the heat exchanger to be sure that it is clear too. As far as your starter is concerned, you need to check the terminal at the starter. Be sure that this is clean. You may want to check the voltage when you try to start the boat and see if there is adequate current. Otherwise I would suggest that you take the start/solenoid to a shop and have them test and repair it as required.
A
Al Nash
Similar Problem
I have a similar problem with my starter on my 3gmf. It has done it a little for the three years I've owned the boat but is getting worse. I tried shorting out the terminals right at the solenoid, bypassing the starter switch and wiring, and found it activates the starter every time. When the weather cools off, I will troubleshoot it more to see just where the problem lies--I've checked all the connections, but it could be the starter switch or maybe a little weak batteries (they check OK) or perhaps a weak solenoid. I may even go to larger wires to the solenoid.
I have a similar problem with my starter on my 3gmf. It has done it a little for the three years I've owned the boat but is getting worse. I tried shorting out the terminals right at the solenoid, bypassing the starter switch and wiring, and found it activates the starter every time. When the weather cools off, I will troubleshoot it more to see just where the problem lies--I've checked all the connections, but it could be the starter switch or maybe a little weak batteries (they check OK) or perhaps a weak solenoid. I may even go to larger wires to the solenoid.
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Mike H
Thanks
Thanks for the posts so far. On the steam, the exhaust sounds normal - a gurgling wet sound. It was dusk when I got back to port - maybe it was a water temp difference. My exhaust hose is near new, but I will not take it for granted that I don't have a problem with the cooling system and check further. On the starter, I will bypass the wiring and see if I get the starter to kick over directly. The type 29 battery (I have only one batt. on board) is one season old, and was showing a slightly more than 3/4th's charge at the time.
Thanks for the posts so far. On the steam, the exhaust sounds normal - a gurgling wet sound. It was dusk when I got back to port - maybe it was a water temp difference. My exhaust hose is near new, but I will not take it for granted that I don't have a problem with the cooling system and check further. On the starter, I will bypass the wiring and see if I get the starter to kick over directly. The type 29 battery (I have only one batt. on board) is one season old, and was showing a slightly more than 3/4th's charge at the time.
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Robert Zolczer
Just Replace the starter button.
I had the same problem with starting. It just kept getting worse. Replacing the start button solved the problem. Although it's a sealed unit, apparently corrosion creeps in somehow. Take the panel off and put a meter on the start button contacts. It'll probably show intermittent operation of the switch as mine did.
I had the same problem with starting. It just kept getting worse. Replacing the start button solved the problem. Although it's a sealed unit, apparently corrosion creeps in somehow. Take the panel off and put a meter on the start button contacts. It'll probably show intermittent operation of the switch as mine did.
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