Okay so here's my theory PLEASE HELP

[JaydubyaSR190]

So Im having starter issues, I think. Starter has been rebuilt, still having problem. Started the engine yesterday but still had "clunks" while attempting. Teeth on bendix and flywheel show no signs of damage. Tried again today, starter turns then disengages.
So...
someone mentioned hydro lock. No water in oil but oil smells heavily of fuel. Also noticed when key is on fuel pump is running, constantly. Oil pressure switch bad?

Theory
Oil pressure safety switch is bad causing fuel pump to run continuously dumping fuel into the cylinders through the carb creating hydro/petro lock situation. Bendix disengages when flywheel can't turn?

PLEASE HELP. My budget for this boat is gone and I am at my wits end trying to get everything right for the season. No confidence right now.

 

[Quint4]

BE VERY CAREFUL. It is possible you have fuel in one or more cylinders. Disconnect battery and remove all spark plugs to confirm nothing in cylinders.

 

[M99]

Your theory might be correct. The fuel pump should not be constantly running with the ignition on an engine stopped. A carb should not just allow fuel to dump into the manifold and cylinders anyway, because the float valve should close when the float level is reached. But that does not mean it is not leaking and allowing that. There is always fuel smell around a carb as fuel evaporates out of the float bowl, but if there is fuel in the oil, that could cause hydro lock and it cause a very big bang. If you even suspect that, pull the plugs and check, or pull the oil out and let it stand to check if there is fuel in it. Fuel and oil will separate if you let it stand.

As far as the starter, those clunks could be because it is not installed correctly allowing the starter and ring gear to move in and out of contact, it could be a bad Bendix drive, or it could just be a bad rebuild. DOA starter rebuilds are not unheard of.

 

[k9medic]

it could just be a bad rebuild. DOA starter rebuilds are not unheard of.

THIS!!!! I tore my motor apart a few years ago looking for my starter issue. Turns out the "newly rebuilt" started failed.

 

[CliffA]

the 'clunks' could be coming from a failing starter slave solenoid....very common failure and cheap and easy to fix....when the slave solenoid starts to fail when you turn the ignition key the contacts on the slave solenoid can make a clunking sound but not pass the current through the solenoid to engage the starter...sometimes after several attempts the solenoid will work and allow the starter to engage....you can test this next time you are getting the 'clunking sound' by using a wire to jump across the terminals of the starter slave solenid with the ignition key in the 'run' position.....if the starter engages with the jumper wire replace the slave solenoid....it is usually located on top of the engine....just trace the wires from the starter back to the slave solenoid to find it....

cliff

 

[thegotoguyr]

Just make sutd you deal with any fuel/vapour issues before you start jumping your starter, it generally sparks when you do that. It is a good way to isolate starter or solenoid issue.

 

[M99]

It definitely could be the Solenoid. I always replace those when I replace a starter, but not everyone does. They are not vey expensive, so its a good idea to replace them with a starter. As mentioned, be really sure about fuel vapor first. It is going to spark a lot. Turn on the ignition key, and then the terminals to jump across are the two large ones carrying the heavy gauge battery type cable. You must also use a cable that heavy for the jumping, or screwdriver that you don't mind destroying. A small wire will just burn up. You are jumping full battery amperage to the Starter around the solenoid when you do that. Another test is jumping across the small terminals to see if the solenoid is attempting to engage at all but the big terminal test is the important one because it is testing the actual contact points inside the solenoid.

 

[dcpringle]

You could pull the starter back out and bench test it. Be sure that the solenoid is engaging.. If you are concerned over hydrolock, pull the plugs and try and start... anything in the cylinders would come out the plug holes.. i'd disable the fuel pump before doing this so that you are not dumping additional fuel. you can also disable ignition to keep it from sparking.. This way you will know whether or not you can even roll over with the starter...

 

[PMC]

You need to start and rule out some variables. If the engine is hydro-locked (with water, or worse fuel) the only way to clear this up is pull the plugs and turn over the engine. *IF* it is fuel, I would suggest that you hand turn the engine with a breaker bar for safety reason (fire).