Billgran wrote:
"Larry W" wrote in message
...
Just a heads-up to anyone replacing a starter in an I/O Mercrusier.

I replaced one in a 3.0 about a month ago and it was the first starter
that came with new mounting bolts.

Customer called Sunday with a complaint that the starter was making a
funny noise. Turns out the long mounting bolt had failed/sheared off (see
link below). There was nothing unusual about the install and I know I
didn't over tighten it.



Quite a few years back, MercCruiser, Volvo, and OMC had starter bolt
breakage problems with the 3.0L motor due to vibration the first year GM
changed to the small-diameter permanent-magnet starter housing. Each company
sent out service bulletins about, and incorporated into the following years
line-up, an L-shaped bracket from the back of the new starter to the engine
block. The bracket kept the starter from wobbling when the motor was idling,
thus keeping the bolts intact without breaking.

See your dealer for the bracket and hardware as I'm guessing that it was
probably not installed and tightened like it should have been. One bolt on
the back of the correct starter has a threaded stud for the bracket,
lockwasher, and nut. There is a threaded hole in the engine block for a
bolt to fasten the other end of the bracket.

Bill Grannis
service manager



Thanks Bill,

I've replaced many starters with the bracket but didn't know about the service
bulletin. I'm going back and install one today.

I think Tim is right that this was just a bad bolt. According to the customer
they only used the boat twice since the replacement.

Larry