3.0L startup noise

[jayrodau]

I just got home from a wonderful day on the water, although there is something I noticed. When I first turn the key there is a loud skretching noise. The motor turns over fine though and runs great.
Would this be the starter or something in that area?

 

[stuckinforward]

is it a belt noise? look for black dust on the front of the engine and check the belts tension

 

[skolbe]

Sounds like a loose belt as said above - you need two different size wrenches to adjust the tension.

 

[jayrodau]

Its only at the initial turn of the key. It doesn't have any screeching noise once the motor turns over.

Do you still think this is a belt issue?

 

[Scottbenson]

The blower motor for the engin compartment will screach when first turned on if bad. But I believe they will run without the key turned on.

If I understand correctly, you turn the key to the "on" position and that is when you get the noise. You are not cranking the motor at all. Correct? If that is the case, it would not be a belt.

If it occurs only during cranking it would most likely be the starter motor. If the noise continues after starting, it would most likely be a loose belt.

 

[jayrodau]

I think its the starter motor. Is it bad to continue on if the boat starts up fine? OR do I need to get the starter motor replaced? Is it bad for it to screech at startup?

 

[Scottbenson]

If is is occurring during cranking and shortly after starting, it is probably:

1-The starter bendix which engages the starter gear with the engine flywheel gear is sticking in the "out" position and not retracting when the starter position of the ignition switch is released. This would cause the starter motor to be driven by the engine and then overspeed which will destroy the starter motor.

(or)

The starter motor drive gear is not mating with the engine flywheel gear properly which could be caused by:loose starter bolts that mount the starter to the motor or by a damaged starter drive gear that has chipped teeth.

If it were me, I would first verify that the starter motor mounting bolts are tight, if so then I would remove the starter and inspect the drive gear and the engine flywheel gear for damaged teeth. If they both look good and you feel comfortable, I would then replace the starter solonoid (Bendix). If you are not comfortable with that repair yourself, take the starter to any starter / generator rebuild facility and have them check it out.

All of this assumes of course that the noise you mention ONLY occurs during cranking or immediatley after starting and then goes away.

 

[Scottbenson]

Oh yeah, I forgot to answer your question:

If the starter does have a damaged drive gear, it can damage the engine flywheel gear which would require engine removal to replace. Baaaaad thing.

If the starter (bendix) is sticking, it will at worse case destroy the starter motor. Or you may get luck and it will begin working fine with no attention due to it just getting sticky from lack of use over the winter.

In either case, I would want to be able to depend on my engine starting because the alternative in a boat sucks.