Need Help Choosing A New Starter

J

Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
I have a 1990 Yanmar 2GM20F. I've owned the boat for two years. The old starter was an ARCO. The nose housing broke off so I need to replace it. I'm looking for a well made unit that won't give me the same problem. There are so many options on-line that it's confusing to a novice like myself to know a good brand from a not so good. I'm looking for suggestions on the better manufactures I should be considering.

Thank you.
 
J

Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
The cone side has broken off so I don't think that can be re-built. It cracked into three pieces.
 
M

Mickstr

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Jun 1, 2007
272
O'Day 322 Mt.Sinai
I replaced mine with a 1987 Toyota Corolla starter for about $50 on my 1987 2GM20F. It fit great, and has been working wonderfully for 2 seasons now. With the diesel engine, a spark arrestor is not required, so you don't need to go marine...
 
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Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

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Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
A good rebuilder can give you options for a quality well built starter. They may even have a rebuildable one in the junk pile....
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
My starter did the same thing on a 50 hp Volvo Penta. I discovered the cause, it was not the starter, but my engine.
I replace mine with a OEM starter and busted the new one too. Hmmmmm?

Didn't you notice a "longer than normal start" on several "starts" before the failure?
If so, you may have and engine problem.
Jim...
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
I just found my starter nose picture of the failure.
photo 3.JPG
 
J

Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
Jim, That sounds familiar. It was taking longer then normal to start her up. In retrospect, after reading lots of posts, I thought it was the beginning of a faulty starter. Can you tell me what you found to be the problem with your engine? Thanks.

The OEM Yanmar starter from TOA Marine Supply (old Torresen) as well as from the local Annapolis chandlery (Bayshore Marine) is $415. After market from DB Electrical and many others is about $60. ARCO is $187. The unit that cracked was an ARCO. Have no idea how long ago it was installed.

IMG_0487.jpg
 
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JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Joe Mullee said:
problem with your engine
Click to expand
Gulp. You want me to confess?
Short version...
Mechanic installed my PYI seal water purge from a Sea Water tap "Below my Boats Waterline":yikes:

This resulted in a "drip drip" backwards into my diesel engine oil, through the exhaust .
From frequent use, engine heat evaporated the water, filter remove salt residue, but tough to cold start.
Finally I discovered water in the oil, just in time for engine recovery, but I should have explored why the engine was having trouble starting.:( Cost me just $1000 for starters.:cuss:

Other considerations...
1) Restricted Exhaust from Carbon deposits in your riser.
2) Injector restrictions
3) Engine backfires
4) Restricted Combustion air intake

When I went for the warranty for the OEM Starter. They refused! Claimed engine backfire indications.
Jim...
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
A few years back by mistake my crew jammed my key and Burt out the starter and none of the dealer had any starters in stock for $450.00.
Called local rebuilder and said can’t get parts to rebuild but had new in box for around $125.00.
And been working fine for a few years.
Nick
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
@Joe Mullee you picture looks like my failure mode.

@seadaddler et al...
The fracture is in a CAST house and very tough to weld.
Agreed that the motor and bendix is still functional, but the Housings much match.
Jim...
 
J

Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
I put in my order for a MASCO starter ($230 + $15 shipping). They are a company out of South Carolina who had good reviews on some other forums. They assemble the starters as well as their alternators at their SC location. They are not imported from overseas. I spoke to the guy who will be putting the starter together and was satisfied with what he told me about the style and their experience with Yanmars. Their starters don't have the cone shape that seem to be the breaking point of many of the other after market starters like the ARCO that was on my engine. I'll report back after installation in about two weeks.

http://www.mascostartersandalternators.com/Sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=167
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,751
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
I replaced mine from a site on ebay $89. I'm on the 3rd year no problems.
 
J

JimInPB

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Aug 22, 2017
1,609
Hunter 26.5 West Palm Beach
When I see the nose busted off of a starter like that, the first thing I want to check is the ring gear. If it is not concentric when it spins or if it is not spaced correctly, you may have a serious bearing problem deep inside the motor block.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

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Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
I would think that would be a “really serious” issue with a bearing. You would know it when running. I don’ think the gear lash between the starter and ring gear is nearly as critical as a bearing clearance. The ring gear itself could be an issue though..just my $.02 worth..
 
LeslieTroyer

LeslieTroyer

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May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
I’ll go with the backfire diagnosis. Wouldn’t hurt to have mechanic check valves and compression.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
From other SBO posts, I have heard more of Carbon Deposits in the riser, restricting a start.
Although that was NOT my problem.

A partially restricted exhaust, basically puts more back pressure on the starter.
Large strain on the starter, SNAP, breaking the weakest part, the nose casting.:yikes:
Jim...
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
Chances are the bearing on the starter was worn causing wobbling on the shaft and the longer than normal starts. It looks like the after market starter worked well for the two years you have had the boat and for an unknown period of time for the PO. Before I would start looking for causes on the engine side I would take my chances and replace the starter with another after market unit. It could be a starter manufacturing flaw. I would not incur in the expense of an OEM unit just in case there is a catastrophic engine problem. It could very well be there is a problem with the engine that will cause it to wear the starter bearing down over a period of time but then if you get a few years out of the replacement it might not be worth it to enter into an engine repair. I know I'm advocating for probabilities instead of sound diagnostics but the thing is that without further evidence of a problem you could be looking for something that is minor or not there at all. The presence of a catastrophic problem would become evident sooner than later and would damage an OEM starter the same as an aftermarket.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Benny17441 said:
Before I would start looking for causes on the engine side I would take my chances and replace the starter
Click to expand
:plus::plus:
I did too.
But...
With the new starter, if it is tough to start again, don't do what I did..

(2 starters) x $500/starter = $1000
Plus labor and the engine fix.:banghead:
Jim...
 
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