Experience With Non OEM Replacement Starter?

[rardiH36]

Using SBO's search feature, I did find a few references to non-OEM starters such as in this link at the end of this post. But not much talk about how these low priced units
actually hold up after installation. Whether they fall into the penny-wise pound foolish category. Or one of the rare cases where cheaper isn't always a guarantee of poor quality.

Anybody have any "in boat" experience?

My starter is original from 1980. Its been acting real sluggish even though all the starter motor wire contacts/lugs between the battery and the starter are clean and tight. I will be removing it from the boat and take it apart for inspection as per my Yanmar service manual. Then probably bring it to the Yanmar dealer for assessment if it should be saved, or just too old to be worth it. That is when my interest in the after market alternative will come into play.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...21370 77010 129698 77010&_itemId=231327900956

 

[Eddie7045]

What I have done over the years

is take my the one that I have removed and take it to an old established auto electric shop that can rebuild it in shop and NOT exchange it. There are not too many places like that around but they are worth seeking out if you want a quality, reliable starter.

 

[Bruce31450]

If your replacing the starter make sure it is a marine starter your putting back into the boat. A car starter is cheaper but is not sealed like a marine unit, it will rust & corrosion will take place also an explosion could result if it was a gas engine. Explosion is the first concern and could happen. Gasoline fumes are heavier than air and will sink to the bottom of your boat. The auto starter will spark and that's it you will be swimming. Just thought I should say something, I am thinking you know this but better safe than sorry. Have fun.

 

[rardiH36]

Eddie and Bruce:

Thanks for the advice.

I did get the starter off the boat today. And took it apart at home. Quickly obvious was that the brushes (four of them) were worn down enough that the braided copper wire that is molded into the brushes was up against the brush holders. So the spring tension on the brushes could no longer move the brushes to good contact on the commutator. I expect that I didn't have too many more starts left!

Unfortunately the brushes are not easily DIY replaced as the copper braided wire is spot welded onto the brush holder for the negative brushes and crimped + soldered (?) to the field coils. I'll see if I can find a local auto/truck electric shop and/or see what the Yanmar dealer (walking distance from my boat) can do.

 

[centerline]

Using SBO's search feature, I did find a few references to non-OEM starters such as in this link at the end of this post. But not much talk about how these low priced units
actually hold up after installation. Whether they fall into the penny-wise pound foolish category. Or one of the rare cases where cheaper isn't always a guarantee of poor quality.

Anybody have any "in boat" experience?

My starter is original from 1980. Its been acting real sluggish even though all the starter motor wire contacts/lugs between the battery and the starter are clean and tight. I will be removing it from the boat and take it apart for inspection as per my Yanmar service manual. Then probably bring it to the Yanmar dealer for assessment if it should be saved, or just too old to be worth it. That is when my interest in the after market alternative will come into play.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Yanmar%20Starter%204JH%202%20QM20%202QM20%2012V%2011%20Tooth%20Clockwise%20121370%2077010%20129698%2077010&_itemId=231327900956

A Sluggish starter could mean the only problem with it is the bendix/shaft has gummed up grease on it... ive seen it many times where someone thought it would be a good idea to use grease on the shaft (its NOT), and over time it dried out and gummed it up...

removing the starter and cleaning it good, and lubricating it with a couple DROPS of transmission fluid, may give you.years of trouble free service from it yet... providing it doesnt draw excessive amps when its bench tested while you have it removed...

 

[rardiH36]

Centerline:

Thanks, but in my case this time, definitely it was the brushes worn down so much they weren't making firm contact with the commutator anymore. The commutator was pretty black and gunked up since not enough pressure from brushes. However cleaned up well to bright copper with #600 wet/dry paper. All else inside the starter was very clean.

My local Yanmar shop told me they wouldn't do a repair in-house. Instead they would send my starter out to a 3rd party. Probably a few weeks total time when all was said and done.

So I found a source on the internet who when I callled gave me some DIY advice and confirmed they had the exact brush plate part and brushes for my 1978-80 Hitachi starter #S114-244. $'s were about the same as a typical entree at a seafood restaurant!

Hopefully I will be back on the water this time next week.

 

[Ken Cross]

It's good to hear that you have it in hand. I just thought I'd point out for others who may search archives to troubleshoot similar issues:

I had similar symptoms on our last Yanmar powered boat. The problem turned out to be a solenoid used as a relay to fire the starter solenoid. It looked like a Ford starter solenoid which I used as a replacement (located behind the engine control panel.) It took a while to find (after I tore down the starter and found it looked to be in great shape once.) It's been working fine for a few years. The part cost about $11.

Ken

Ken