Banging on starter?

[singlespeed]

Sounds more like a stuck solenoid. Unless it is free to move, the starter will not turn. Pull the entire starter assembly and apply a dialectic grease to the armature bearing surfaces of both the solenoid and the starter, after cleaning them. If the solenoid is devoid of lubricant, you can be certain the starter armature is also devoid of lubricant

[sailorladd]

The solenoid is not engaging, and for a long term fix the starter needs to be removed, stripped down and cleaned out and probably new bushes installed... Something a boat owner could do without taking it to a workshop

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by Calaban-Alleria

Personally I would probably pursue the rebuild anyway. There are lots of shops that specialize in that sort of work. Look em up, drive around.
That way you have a new one and a spare - always a good thing - guarantees you will never be in a situation where you need it

Exactly i would do the same...or actually just clean and regrease old like others stated before and mount old back on...if that fixed it you have a spare. If that didn't its broken and need a rebuild and you already have a spare.

[Char99]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Just be aware that many of the those cheap starters on ebay and Amazon are Chinese knockoffs with a less than stellar reliability record. One common issue is poor castings that crack easily. A rebuild at local starter and alternator shop will be a better option and probably cost significantly less than a new marine one.

I replaced starter on my 1 cyl yanmar only to find it did not spin fast enough to get the engine started. Sure $88 bucks and the rebuild was like $150 but I never had a problem starting after the rebuild.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by massnspace

Sailboat would not start yesterday. Older marine diesel.

Took a small hammer, banged on the starter, then it turned over and started no problems.

I had read about that trick and yes, it did work, but why? And will it happen again? What is the long-term fix???

A new solenoid will fix this...unless the starter is totally worn out and the drive cog has jammed

[merrydolphin]

Originally Posted by massnspace

Thanks, and I was afraid of that….

But the good news is that I can buy a brand new starter off eBay for $88 shipped. That is one of the good things about these old engines…..parts dirt cheap…..

You are MUCH better off getting a local starter/alternator shop to rebuild it. It’s is cheap! And you get a high quality starter. Not a cheap knock off. I have done this a number of times with starters and alternators and never regretted it.