2006 CR250 starter?

[boatman37]

Anyone replaced one in theirs? How hard? What else has to come off? Not certain that is the issue but leaning that way. 2 new batteries and last week the motor would bump about 1/2 a rev then stop. Now today it only clicks. Shore power has been plugged in the whole time so charger has been on. Both batteries read 13.7 and just took the starting battery up to get tested and it tested ok. I also disconnected the house battery to try to help isolate the issue. I can't get in there to even see it. Can barely touch it with my fingers so would either have to take it somewhere, which will likely put us into early July. Step-son can probably get in there but have to get him here to do it...lol

[Saaristo]

Is it a single click or series of clicking. Is it electrical sound or mechanical clunk like sound?
I would disconnect and clean battery posts and terminals but also on starter motor first. Yes it can show you 13,7 volts but that doesnt necessarily mean you have the punch to get the wheels turning.

[boatman37]

The batteries are brand new. Terminals and cables are clean and tight. Last week it would turn about 1/2 revolution like the batteries were dead. Today it just clicked 1 time then nothing. Batteries both read 13.7 at rest. I can't even get to the starter to check the connections there. My step-son will have to squeeze down in there to get to the starter/solenoid

[JollyRoger]

I'm guessing it's either the starter or solenoid, or the connections to those. One thing you might consider is removing the riser and exhaust manifold to gain access to the starter. It's not that bad of a project, and may get you boating rather than waiting until July on a mechanic. Just a thought.

[Mark-P]

Just make sure you use a marine starter and not a car replacement part. Sparks no good in a boat.

[boatman37]

Tried again today and still just a click. I tapped on the starter with a hammer and tried again and got a very slight movement with the starter. Not quite 1/2 a revolution but more than I got before I tapped on it.

[Naughtilus]

If you spend the time to take the starter out, you might as well replace it. I replaced mine on Sunday on my 2008 270CR with mercruiser 350 MAG MPI and it sucked. Was the worst repair yet. I removed the battery closest to the starter to make more room and one of the cooling hoses and cut the power off to the boat. There are two bolts to drop it down that are a bear to reach. Take lots of pictures before removing it, especially of the wiring to make sure you connect the wires to the right terminals and you angle the wires the right direction. I used a knuckle on my ratchet on one of the bolts to help remove it and a ratcheting wrench. Once the starter is dropped down, then you have to remove all the wires off the starter before it can be removed as they are mostly short wires, (except the very large power wire). Reference your pictures and get the wires back on the correct teeminals and facing the right direction, then slide it back up in its location. You might have to loosen up some wires to get it back up in its location. Getting the two bolts back on is much harder then taking them out because they want to fall out. Make sure you allocate a lot of time to do it, I.e. don’t attempt it when you are in a rush as it requires a lot of patience.

[boatman37]

If you spend the time to take the starter out, you might as well replace it. I replaced mine on Sunday on my 2008 270CR with mercruiser 350 MAG MPI and it sucked. Was the worst repair yet. I removed the battery closest to the starter to make more room and one of the cooling hoses and cut the power off to the boat. There are two bolts to drop it down that are a bear to reach. Take lots of pictures before removing it, especially of the wiring to make sure you connect the wires to the right terminals and you angle the wires the right direction. I used a knuckle on my ratchet on one of the bolts to help remove it and a ratcheting wrench. Once the starter is dropped down, then you have to remove all the wires off the starter before it can be removed as they are mostly short wires, (except the very large power wire). Reference your pictures and get the wires back on the correct teeminals and facing the right direction, then slide it back up in its location. You might have to loosen up some wires to get it back up in its location. Getting the two bolts back on is much harder then taking them out because they want to fall out. Make sure you allocate a lot of time to do it, I.e. don’t attempt it when you are in a rush as it requires a lot of patience.

How long did it take you? I ordered a new starter and it came today so likely replacing it either way. Step-son is supposed to come over Saturday morning to help with it. He is about 5'9" and 150lbs and can fit in those spaces that I can't...lol. And he is pretty mechanically inclined so that helps.

[Naughtilus]

Probably about 4-5 hours. I am sure it can be done faster but It was the first time I have ever replaced a starter

[Naughtilus]

The starter is probably the hardest thing to access in the engine. Don’t forget some towels to lay since you will be on your side for hours.

[Sandor27]

I recommend you take the manifold and risers off. But don't remove the risers from the manifold unless you like scraping gaskets and spending $$$. Those riser gaskets are $45 ea and you need three of them! Red arrows in pic point to the four manifold bolts. The manifold gasket is <$10. That manifold is really heavy too, so be careful if you remove it. The trick to getting it back on is to use threaded rod to make guides. Put a 6" section of rod in the outer two bolt holes, then put the gasket on, then slide the manifold on the threaded rod, then install the middle two bolts, then remove the threaded rod and install the outer two bolts.

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I have never changed the starter, but when I had the manifold off, I had full easy access to that side of the engine.

2023-05-12_7-36-12.jpg

The other advice I would give is to remove the hatch lift connecting pin from the hatch and raise the hatch higher. Gives a lot more access to the engine bay. I have a 1x6 board cut to the perfect length to wedge between the manifold riser and the hatch to prop it up and I have a broom handle that serves as a backup support in case I bump the board. Just be careful about how you support it. It could probably kill you if it fell on you.

Let us know how the starter replacement goes.

[boatman37]

We got the starter off today. Wasn't too bad. He crawled down in there and had it off in maybe 1 hour. Tested it on the floor and it was hit or miss. If I tapped it it would spin then. But the starter I ordered was the wrong one. It's the normal size. The one on there is a mini starter.

[boatman37]

Got the correct starter Thursday and put it on this morning. Fired right up. Got the oil changed. All ready to go.

[DrewM5]

Great to hear (read)! Enjoy your summer!