Volvo Penta I/O Starter problem

[Donald]

Went down to my boat today to start it and starter would spin but not spin the engine. Tried it a few times same thing. Then on another try it turned the engine over and it started. I thought last fall it had done a similar thing on a one or tai occasions.

Question is is this the kind of starter where the solenoid pushes up the gear (so I can just replace the solenoid) or the type where the gear spins up on its own and the solenoid is just a heavy current relay.

Given that this is boating season I am thinking I will buy what's needed vs trying to take current starter to a local rebuild shop and wait.

Attached is a drawing of the starter assembly from the VP website. And a picture of the solenoid from Amazon.

 

[eljefino]

Looks like you can replace the solenoid. I don't see easy to find solenoid fasteners on my "Bendix style" older direct drive starters. That plunger doodad also gives it away.

You may be able to retrofit a newer gear reduction starter, it'll have the active solenoid and will be generally better. Be sure it's Coast Guard approved if it needs to be (sparking resistance etc) The bolt pattern may be the same across decades, so they might have made a running change, a previous owner could have, and you may be able to.

 

[mk378]

In a "Bendix" style starter, there is a one-way clutch on the gear that lets the engine turn faster than the starter in case the operator keeps holding the key on after it starts. That mechanical part can fail. When that happens the solenoid still pulls the gear out so it engages, and the starter motor spins, but the engine does not turn.

 

[Donald]

In a "Bendix" style starter, there is a one-way clutch on the gear that lets the engine turn faster than the starter in case the operator keeps holding the key on after it starts. That mechanical part can fail. When that happens the solenoid still pulls the gear out so it engages, and the starter motor spins, but the engine does not turn.

So what you are saying is the solenoid may or may not be the problem.

 

[repairman54]

When the solenoid pulls in it makes internal contact to energize the starter motor. Open solenoid would not pull in and thus not energize the motor. Could be that plastic link broken or the Bendix drive is slipping. My money is on a bad Bendix drive.

 

[mk378]

So what you are saying is the solenoid may or may not be the problem.

Yes. Your best bet to get the boat working before the season ends is to replace the whole starter assembly.

 

[Donald]

Yes. Your best bet to get the boat working before the season ends is to replace the whole starter assembly.

I know what you mean. Screwing around with things can go from one week to the next and so on.

Now to decide between a VP OEM or aftermarket like a Sierra.

I will probably get the VP one rebuilt and save as a spare. Assuming what's in it now is a VP OEM.

 

[Kira]

Report back on the availability and cost of both VP and aftermarket offerings.

Since I'm the guy who "always" asks if, "there's a starter / alternator shop near you?", I'd love to see what'd happen if I walked into my place with your starter.
a.) It's for a marine application. Get out of here!
or
b.) It'll be ready on Thursday

 

[Donald]

Report back on the availability and cost of both VP and aftermarket offerings.

Since I'm the guy who "always" asks if, "there's a starter / alternator shop near you?", I'd love to see what'd happen if I walked into my place with your starter.
a.) It's for a marine application. Get out of here!
or
b.) It'll be ready on Thursday

I am a fan of starter/alternator rebuild shops and had two I used in NY but have not found one in DE yet. But still inquiring around

It looks like a VP OEM would be $325, Sierra around $200 and some Chinese ones around $70.

Unlike a car sitting in my drive, my boat is at a marina on rack storage. I need to take a few hours to call to get the boat moved to a work rack, drive there and do the mechanical work. Then it gets moved back to inside rack storage.

It's also possible the current starter is an aftermarket and not worth rebuilding.

Was spending recent time working on a the bow thruster motor. An open overheat sensor (thermistor) has taken me countless hours to deal with. And I have just new been able to get the overheat sensor out of the motor. It's screwed to the mounting block for the brushes. Now I can test the old and new one with ohm meter to verify it's open and should be closed.

I wish the starter was the only problem.

 

[Kira]

"Boats: A hole in the water you throw money into." ....they tell me.

 

[Donald]

"Boats: A hole in the water you throw money into." ....they tell me.

Well if your a boater then you feel the enjoyment is worth the money spent.

 

[thastinger]

We have a Volvo/Penta 4.3/SX combo in out boat. That starter is just a chevy 4.3 starter, the solenoid is replaceable.

 

[Donald]

We have a Volvo/Penta 4.3/SX combo in out boat. That starter is just a chevy 4.3 starter, the solenoid is replaceable.

I am sure you know, but you need a marine version of anything like a alternator or starter in a boat. While I can replace the solenoid if it's the Bendix then best to replace both, especially if you are looking to get the boat engine operational without taking weeks.

 

[thastinger]

I am sure you know, but you need a marine version of anything like a alternator or starter in a boat. While I can replace the solenoid if it's the Bendix then best to replace both, especially if you are looking to get the boat engine operational without taking weeks.

What do you think is different about the starters if you buy it from Volvo vs Chevy? The Volvo one isn't stainless steel.

 

[Donald]

What do you think is different about the starters if you buy it from Volvo vs Chevy? The Volvo one isn't stainless steel.

Marine grade starters and alternators are built to prevent any sparks from igniting gas fumes and blowing up the boat. I assume it's some kind of screen but have not taken one apart.

 

[Donald]

Arco starter? Made in Florida. About 2/3 the cost of VP.

 

[alarmguy]

New VP OEM?
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it.
Once you do you will maybe never have to deal with a bad starter for many years (or get stuck anyplace)
When it comes to critical components on a boat, I like OEM.

A few years back when we bought our small chaparral runabout. We bought it used from a local more or less rural boat dealer.
One of their customers traded in for a fishing platform boat.

I was impressed and will probably never experience this again in my lifetime but the guy getting the boat ready for us told us they really didn’t know the person who traded it in and when they went to start it the battery was dead or almost dead after sitting for a short period of time, so instead of taking any chances, they replaced the battery, the alternator and the starter because they couldn’t figure it out after first replacing the battery. Now into our fourth or 5th(?)year, no issues.

Here is what impressed me the most, once I got the boat home, I closely examined the components and they used VP OEM alternator, and starter.
I don’t know, but the darn things look brand new to me and no stickers saying remanufactured or anything.

I know we both got our outdrives repaired during Covid and at the time I paid the extra for new OEM upper gearcase.
Which admittedly the price was ridiculous, but whatever goes with the territory, I guess

 

[Donald]

New VP OEM?
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it.
Once you do you will maybe never have to deal with a bad starter for many years (or get stuck anyplace)
When it comes to critical components on a boat, I like OEM.

A few years back when we bought our small chaparral runabout. We bought it used from a local more or less rural boat dealer.
One of their customers traded in for a fishing platform boat.

I was impressed and will probably never experience this again in my lifetime but the guy getting the boat ready for us told us they really didn’t know the person who traded it in and when they went to start it the battery was dead or almost dead after sitting for a short period of time, so instead of taking any chances, they replaced the battery, the alternator and the starter because they couldn’t figure it out after first replacing the battery. Now into our fourth or 5th(?)year, no issues.

Here is what impressed me the most, once I got the boat home, I closely examined the components and they used VP OEM alternator, and starter.
I don’t know, but the darn things look brand new to me and no stickers saying remanufactured or anything.

I know we both got our outdrives repaired during Covid and at the time I paid the extra for new OEM upper gearcase.
Which admittedly the price was ridiculous, but whatever goes with the territory, I guess

I am about decided to get the VP OEM one. It's just not that much more than a Arco or Sierra starter. Arco is made in the USA. Sierra might not be but the brand has a good reputation for aftermarket marine parts.

Now in your case it was good to get a new starter, alternator and battery but I would have to question a boat dealer than could not figure out which of the three parts needed to be replaced.

 

[alarmguy]

I am about decided to get the VP OEM one. It's just not that much more than a Arco or Sierra starter. Arco is made in the USA. Sierra might not be but the brand has a good reputation for aftermarket marine parts.

Now in your case it was good to get a new starter, alternator and battery but I would have to question a boat dealer than could not figure out which of the three parts needed to be replaced.

Yeah I agree with you on the dealer but I think it’s just the type of family dealership that it is.
We bought this boat, first time in my life without testing it in anyway, except on their promise if something was wrong, they would correct it.
It was actually during the winter that we purchased it. After seeing that they replaced the charging system and the starter renewed my faith that my perception on the type of people that they were was correct and I was OK with the way we purchased it.

Family members were almost freaked out that we purchased a boat based on good faith, and the fact that it only had 65 or so hours on it. Took it home and didn’t run it until the weather got warm about roughly 2 months later.

We purchased it for a steal in the middle of the winter. I wasn’t born yesterday and my instinct didn’t let this deal go by as they said as soon as their boat show ended, the spring price would be significantly higher.

I’m just explaining myself I think you kinda have a feel of being a streetwise kind of older guy

 

[Donald]

Yeah I agree with you on the dealer but I think it’s just the type of family dealership that it is.
We bought this boat, first time in my life without testing it in anyway, except on their promise if something was wrong, they would correct it.
It was actually during the winter that we purchased it. After seeing that they replaced the charging system and the starter renewed my faith that my perception on the type of people that they were was correct and I was OK with the way we purchased it.

Family members were almost freaked out that we purchased a boat based on good faith, and the fact that it only had 65 or so hours on it. Took it home and didn’t run it until the weather got warm about roughly 2 months later.

We purchased it for a steal in the middle of the winter. I wasn’t born yesterday and my instinct didn’t let this deal go by as they said as soon as their boat show ended, the spring price would be significantly higher.

I’m just explaining myself I think you kinda have a feel of being a streetwise kind of older guy

The starter is a few hundred, not a big deal in the grand scheme of boating. It looks to be easily accessible.

Working on the bow thruster buried in a small compartment in the cabin is much more difficult.

The engine is wide open in the engine hatch.