Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Hi all,

Here taking a long shot...Does anyone live in South Eastern Florida (I'm in Boca Raton) know of a reputable boat mechanic:??? It is possible I may need a soleniod replaced on my starter... have no idea what this entails or how much something like this might cost, so now starts the fun of finding a trustworthy mechanic. Any advise or referrals would be greatly appreciated. LIZ :worry_to_laugh:

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Lacking any feedback here, hit the web. Use the search engines. It may take a lot of digging and it may not turn up anything useful. Find out what mechanics and service places are in your area and go talk to them. Any marinas around? Visit those. Talk to other boat owners in the area.

Do not ignore your "gut feel." If a place or mechanic doesn't "feel right," it/he is probably a place to avoid.

If all else fails: Get no less than three quotes for the work, from reputable (i.e.: Not fly-by-night) shops or mechanics. Take the one that gives you the best gut feel at the price you believe to be reasonable.

Good luck!

Jim

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Thanks Jim, Good advice and what I'm now feeling that is what I am resigned to do.. I usually get lucky and find great "inside" contacts when approaching things that I'm unable to do myself through networking, etc. I will inquire with some other boat owners in the area, I'm not one to just go to the nearest Marina, as I've been ripped off going that route in the past. Thanks again for your response. Liz
,

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

I just had a starter replaced on my jubilee...the marina was too expensive so i went to a car mechanic. It was a 200.00 job. The marina said they might have to pull the motor to get to it, but my mechanic took off one of the manifolds to allow access. Im in North Alabama, but maybe a car mechanic you trust could help you. Mine did!

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Thanks so much for the info... I think I will try that route. Liz:wink_thumbup:

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Just ensure that if they replace anything, that they use a marine part & not just an auto part.

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

x2 What MikeyT said.... DO NOT use automotive parts on a marine engine. It's a common misconception that since it's a GM block, that standard auto parts will work on it. Use ONLY marine parts.

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Thanks so much for the reinforcement. People that don't know or want to sell parts tell you different things. I did find a car mechanic that is trustworthy that said he'd put it in, no problem if I have the part. I'm still not certain whether the whole starter needs to be replaced if the selanoid is just sticking... it's been pouring here all day so I'm not even ventured out to take the cover off.. stilll ponding the extent of the problem. Any thoughts? I appreciate your feedback :) LIZ

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Please describe the symptoms, Liz.

Jim

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

It went from normal attempts to turn over and on the third try, it just made a smooth spinning, weeing sound, which has been the case siince. The conditions which I was attempting to start the boat was in very heavy rain storm, I rushed out to the dock in the middle of the night to put the cover on as we had several inches of rainfall which came down quick and the engine compartment had quite a bit of water in it. The bildge pump didn't kick on (another issue, I have to turn it on at the counsel). So I don't know if the starter was in water and attempting to start it under those conditions would cause the selanoid to stick or if the starter is shot. Thanks, LIZ

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Could be either the solenoid or the starter, sorry to say. What's supposed to happen, when you turn the key, is that power is applied to the solenoid, which results in two things: A pinion gear being pushed out to engage the engine's flywheel and a relay engaging to supply high current to the starter motor proper. It sounds like the solenoid's relay is working. That high-pitched whine you hear is probably the starter motor spinning freely. It sounds like the pinion gear is not being pushed out to engage the flywheel.

Either way: The starter's going to have to be pulled to diagnose and repair this.

Here's a nice tear-down picture of a modern starter: File:Automobile starter 2.JPG. Here is an explanation of how it works: Starter motor.

One thing the picture does not explain is the wiring. If you look closely at the starter solenoid, you can see a small tab on the back of it (that's the end to the right), facing you. That's where the key switch connects. (The return side of that circuit is through the system's common ground.) The two large bolt terminals on the back of the solenoid are for the heavy cables that supply starter motor current: One goes to your battery, the other to the starter motor's windings. (You can see the tab for that sticking up from those red starter motor windings to the right.) As with the starter solenoid: The return path is through the systems common ground.

Jim

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Thanks to all that helped with advice on my starter. Mikey was correct in his diagnosis. I pulled it myself (thanks to some very nice diagrams sent by Jim) and was able to salvage it. Everyone is so helpful here and saved me from spending money needlessly!!!! LIZ

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

Congratulations, Ederickson, glad you were able to fix it yourself :) (And glad I was able to help :).)

Jim

Re: Boat Mechanics in South Florida
 

thanks agaiin