A Great Day

Generally this time of year I'm locked in my office like many others trying to finalize my taxes.
Sometimes you get an unexpected break. Saturday morning I was suppose to meet my contractor at the lake. I was not surprised when he called me to let me know he would be a few hours late. At first I was a little put out. However, being 9:00 am and it was already 72 degrees it didn't take long to decide to pull the boat out of storage and prep it for the first run of the year.
After putting in the new impeller, draining the the anti freeze and general inspection, in the water she went. It took a few turnovers to get the fuel in the carb, but then viola! I only went out for a short cruise, guess I felt a little guilty, but I'll get over it!
Typically I don't pull the boat out till early May, but this year the boy's are itchin' to go footin', so I thought like a good Scout, and am prepared.
Here's hoping everyone get's good boating weather soon. d

Hit 85 in Atlanta on Sat aand pulled out the boat and got her all loaded up and ready to go. My 11 year old daughter was anxious to kneeboard. SPumped the throttle a few times and started to turn her over. She did for a few times, then puffed once then the starter refused to go anymore. I charged the 1 yr old battery full but still no turn over. I hope this isn't a sign the starter is bad. I and my daughter deeply disappointed.OH BOY! here we go!

Morfoot does it click when you turn the key, or what is happening? Did you get it fixed yet?

Not very scientific, but I have had a similar problem in the spring. Starter just needed a little encouragement. A few taps with a hammer on the end of the starter loosens something up and it goes. May not be your problem but it has worked for me in the past. However, I think it is a sign of a dying starter as I am looking at a new one this spring, based on last falls experiences.

Hey Larry! Now there is an idea. An ATTITUDE adjustment. I'll have to try that. Does it work on wives too?

My starter quit last summer I was on the lake and it clicked a couple of times so I hit is with a wrench and then fired up so we headed to the dock. While I backed the trailer in my cousin shut the boat off and then it would not start.

If the hammer fixes it beware that it could only be temproary. I would pull it off and take it to a starter shop. They will hook it up and tell you what is wrong with it.

All I asked was could you use the same "ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT TOOL" on my wife. Man you guy's are rough!

NOTE! I DO LOVE MY WIFE.

Foot

Tim, Keith, Ken and cameraman, Brad, Lost Lake, Groton, MA 2006. Doesn't get any better than boating, then some Sam Adams!!!

Morfoot, the BFN gave me that problem last spring. Had a new battery and everything, all it did was click. I trickle charged the battery for 12 hours and it fired right up. Better to charge the battery all the way up then spend all that time pulling the starter off you don't have to.

You know Chris I was wondering the same thing.......


Okay. I check the battery and get 13.08 volts with no draw on it. I checked to make sure I had voltage to the start solenoid and do. Okay Put + on the output of solenoid to starter and - to block. Turn the key and get the usual click. Voltage is 3.80 volts. Okay, I felt the solenoid and its a we bit warm which I think is normal but shouldn't I get 12 volts when attempting to crank. I say the solenoid is bad but don't want to start shotgunning parts at it. It did turn over on a couple of days ago so Hmmmmmmmmm. I did clean up the battery posts and cables. Little corrosion but not enough to worry about. What do you guys think???    Foot

Be sure to use craftsman screwdrivers when jumping across that way if they arc bad then you can return them no questions asked.

Just an update on the problem and fix.........
So I take the battery to Autozone to check it out and it checks out okay. Figure the solenoid or starter. I figure the starter would be easier to eliminate as it can be bench checked. I pulled it out and I hear a set of maracca's playing and figure Ooooh that can't be good. Remove the rear cover plate of the starter and the guts come falling out. The armature had decided it was time to die, came apart and took out the entire the ceramic insulator with it. Turned it up to get a good look inside and stuff kept coming out. Checked the price at NAPA and got a reman. one from Skidim $30 cheaper.( THANKS GUYS!).................................. Guess I know its not the solenoid.