www.iFourWinns.com

Wear on flywheel and starter gear teeth was common with the old inertia types ( the starter motor turned, the centrifugal force spun the already rotating starter gear onto the stationary flywheel gear, both gears had a lead in section, to minimise wear, but it was still a pretty savage set up.). Wear was not unsurprising. "In the "old days" it was a fix to use a breaker bar to turn the engine over a few degrees, then the started would have "fresh" teeth on the flywheel to engage with 4 cylinder engines for sure seem to invariably stop in the same crank to block orientation .

Was/ has the starter been loose in the past ? On more modern starters like yours, the starter's gear is pushed into engagement with the flywheel gear and only then does the starter start turning. A loosely mounted starter would result in the starter gear rotating before engaging. Not designed for that, wear would surely occur

Thanks Graham.
It took 90 min to remove the b@stard of a thing & I know for certain that the starter was not loose!
My Auto Electrician had a look at the starter and has advised me that a rebuild of the likely noisy internal gear reduction gears and brushes would be close to $200.
I've ordered a new marine rated one for $320 and hope this will fix the noise.
Worst case scenario is I have to pull the engine & replace the flywheel, due to worn teeth.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Are replacement flywheel ring gears not available anymore ? They are just shrunk on the flywheels after all; cold, freezer temp flywheel, maximum oven hot ring-gear

I doubt that the ring gear is causing the noise. If it was the ring gear, it would likely only make the sound during one part of the engine revolution. A more continuous sound of "crushed marbles" is almost surely the starter.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

That sounds like the starter to me.

I know its much smaller, but on my snowmobile i get this same sound "grinding and ringing" from my starter from time to time.

Having said that, it would be wise to inspect the ring gear prior to putting the new starter on.

Also, i would be tempted to reinstall the original starter again. What if the back fire just misaligned the starter?

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Please elaborate, as I'm not understanding this?!

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

New starter is in and is performing perfectly!
I'll try get out on the water asap to burn off any remaining moisture from the engine.

Thank you to everyone who contributed with advice!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Glad starter is good! Hope no other damage surfaces, but I doubt it.

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Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)

In technical terms... Some times shit needs to be taken apart and re assembled to work... Lol.

I was thinking there was a chance something was not engaging or disengaging properly due to the hit, and seeing as the starter performed well on the bench it might have corrected itself.

Happy to hear you are up and running now!

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

In technical terms... Some times shit needs to be taken apart and re assembled to work... Lol.

I truly believe that this should be included in every tech manual printed!
DW, glad it is back together and sounds good. best to ya!!!

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1999 180 Horizon LS 4.3 L GL Volvo SX
1994 Powerstroke
2002 Jeep Wrangler
not@work.gon
Happiness is an Empty Boat Trailer!!!

Got my Oil Analysis report back today, after putting almost 10 hours on the engine.
I may have been secretly hoping for lots of metallic contamination in the report, so I could justify a new Vortec engine!
Acting quickly with a hydrolock on a flat tappet cam engine has really saved my bacon!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Glad to hear!

_________________
2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Great results there. What oil are you using? Is that the Merc 25/40?

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Almost identical, LouC.
A local manufacturer (Penrite Oil) blends an NMMA Approved 25w40 Marine Oil.
Similar to the Merc stuff, but with more zinc & phosphorous (for cam's!).

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

That's great news, deafwish. Now go put on more hours!

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings