Starter Dragging Shaft

Ken, you should try to be more gentle on your postings. My wife is wanting to know if she made me buy a money pit "how much is a transmission rebuiled"... she sure loves this boat.

anyway, I have been through the manual now. Before the previous repair you and Duane helped me with, I had it in the water and it shifted fine.

I will look for the "dirty neutral" and will see what I can find. Today I plan to pump out and replace the fluid. Thanks for the help on the type.

Also searching for transmission rebuild/replace/kit information through google. If it is necessary, I will try to rebuild before seeking the professional.

Terry

Ken, yes. The propeller shaft is turning when I try to start the engine. It is not staying totally engaged, but rather grabbing and letting go, grabbing and letting go. The first time it starts up I realize I have it hot. The next time its hot and becomes too much as it grabs and lets go. Terry

I have put a new solenoid on it and the starter engages/disengages. When I try to start it the second time, it tries to pull the drive shaft and overloads the solenoid and it overloads and melts. I think the starter is fine as it engages/disengages fine. Now that I am reading the reference section, there may be too much pressure in the transmission. In neutral, it may not be releasing the shaft like it should. It may be that there is too much transmission fluid?

Keep the comments coming. Terry

When I start the motor while the boat is out of the water, the first time it fires right up and purrs like a kitten. Come back later, and turn the key and the starter pulls the shaft, dragging it intermittently. The boat is in neutral and the hose is connected to the back of the motor. I have fried a couple of cylinoids and cant figure out why the shaft gets engaged when I try to start the motor. I took the linkage off and tried to start it with the shifter in place in the decant ball, but it is still grabbing the shaft. Everytime it drags, the cylinoid gets fried. It's just too much torque.

The motor is a 351W on a 1988 Martinique. I found the book on the motor in the reference section and will see what assistance that will give, but if anyone has helpful comments, I am in the receive mode. Up all night trying to figure out the chemistry of the problem. I am new to ski boats and this engine.

* On a side note, I want to drain and replace the transmission fluid and don't know what kind this boat takes. Assistance here is also appreciated.

Thanks, Terry.