www.iFourWinns.com

Was out on the river two weeks ago, was heading back to the dock at WOT and had to slow down and turn around to fetch a hat that blew off a passenger, slowed to idle and it died. No starting it - all I could do was hear the starter whirr. Thought the starter may have been shot, so replaced it and no such luck - still just hear the starter whirr. The oil on the dipstick looks good, I don't see any visible breaks or cracks. My next process of elimination will be to check the battery and fuses, but I'd also like to hand turn the motor to look at it. (of which I have no idea how to do.)
So - 2 parts, any ideas of where to look/what to look for/where to start? and then how do I turn the engine?

Thanks for any and all info.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

When you replaced the starter, did you also replace the starter solenoid?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

If you can hear the starter spin up and the motor not turn over I would suggest that you look to the flywheel. You may have some broken teeth on it. If you turn the motor over by hand and it starts when you hit the key you know the issue.

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1990 Four Winns Horizon 200
2005 GMC Sierra

Does the motor turn over when you bump the starter?
If not, you may have hydrolocked it coming off plane.

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

OK - Starter and solenoid were both replaced. I figured out how to hand crank the engine, it moves. I pulled out a plug and there was no water that I could detect. (no rust on the plug, smelled like gas) checked fuses, all good. Checked deadman - it pops off, no loose wires found on exterior check. Checked battery and it's good, but needs a charge. Hoping that maybe its just the battery is not getting a charge - possibly due to an alternator issue. If not then more process of elimination. Battery is on the charger until tomorrow when I can look at it again.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

OK - did some more teardown. Pulled the cover off the flywheel and all the teeth are intact.... But it seems very loose. It seems to move back and forth and spin way too easy - It does not seem to move the crank at all. Any Ideas?

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

When you say moves back and forth, do you mean front to back, like a wobble, or clockwise and counter clockwise before it catches the crank?

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1990 Four Winns Horizon 200
2005 GMC Sierra

It moves bow to stern about 3/4-1". It's also very easy to turn by hand.
I believe The bolts have been sheared off and will need to be replaced. Nearest I can guess the accident of the outdrive hitting the pavement caused enough stress to impair those bolts and weaken/loosen them, which caused them to shear. I'll be trying to find a repair shop.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

Well that's not good if the bolts have sheared off, but it is the case is beats the crank being broken for sure. I wish you the best in getting it fixed.

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1990 Four Winns Horizon 200
2005 GMC Sierra

Finally getting somewhere... boat shop found all the bolts had broken off the crank. Contacted insurance and they are sending out a surveyor. Boat shop wants to replace whole motor, as they cant tell what fouled up internally to cause them to break. Going all summer without a boat has sucked up all my patience.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

Glad you found out what is wrong with it but I wonder what caused the bolts to break off. Let us know what happens with insurance...

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Well, what an 18 or so months it has been. Haggled with insurance for over a year while it sat in the shop, and then in storage. Final answer - they would not cover it, even though their surveyor said it was "possible" that some exterior force caused it, that the only acceptable reason was that it was a manufacturer defect. Investigating that got me nowhere. Found someone willing to buy me out and use it as a project, that was December.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI