www.iFourWinns.com

So I tried to start my Horizon 180 yesterday, for first time after being stored last winter.
Battery is new last year, and topped up on charger.
Oil level in engine good, and oil clean.
Starting sounded at first like a weak battery, this slow "hum, hum, hum ..." sound.
Then after trying that a few times, there was a few very loud, "metal on metal" bangs (like when doing laundry and something other than clothing is in the dryer) and then the starting sounded like a fast spinning electric drill.
Starter gone?

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

Assuming the motor isnt spinning then yeah, I would suspect the bender in starter isnt engaging. Think it's called the bendex....the thingy that makes the gear on starter extend and contact the fly wheel.

That clanking could have been partial engage where starter was bouncing off fly wheel.

At least...I would hope it's the starter:)....if so, you can remove it and take to starter rebuild shop and make sure they know it is for marine use...spark resistant..and they will test and rebuild it. Much cheaper than buying a new one and much better than cheap knockoff

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Thanks.
That's my planed first step, to remove the starter and take it to the shop.
I'll update this thread when I get it back.

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

I'm hoping you didn't break a starter bolt, the 3.0 is kind of known for this, that's why some have an additional brace on the front of the starter. When you replace the starter make sure the bolts are not too long and if you have the front brace make sure to use it.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I have not taken the starter out yet. Going to do that over next couple days.
It looks like it's not going to be easy as the starter is way back and not easy to reach.
I am thinking of taking out one of the boards in the engine compartment which would allow me to get closer with fitting one leg in there.
Well, we'll see.

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

So to update about my starter repair undertaking
I managed to take the starter out. Took a lot of cursing
But doable once I removed some of the boards around the engine which greatly improved access.
Only two long bolts (both under the engine) and one bracket hold the starter. Both these long bolts take some gymnastics to get at.
But they were not too tight and turned without using any pry bars etc.

Now the second part of the story.
So starter repaired at local starter shop.
I installed it back but connecting the cables turned out a bit challenging.
They told me to use the mounting hardware that came with the repaired starter ( nuts mainly).
So I did. When I started it. It did turn over (didn't start as it needed longer to turn) but after a few turns a big spark ignited where the cables are connected to the starter and starter no longer worked.
They repaired it again for free
Now, I'm not sure whether I should use that plastic, white, boxy connector that came with my starter and had the two big red cables connected to it.
I suspect it acts as sort of a spacer so the cables are farther from the other cables?
It's in the middle of the linked picture.
Can someone confirm or give me a clue as what to do? Thank you.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e1vb6bvmj8ZVE7YdBP-mxr5r7jTIU6D8/view?usp=sharing

I tried to post the picture, but the forum just keeps saying that it cannot determine the size of the image (even though it's less than 1024 wide).
And why no attachments?
The forum should join the 21st century and allow pictures larger than a postage stamp and attachments should be no brainer.

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

I think that’s a 90 amp fuse, if it blew there has to be a short...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks for that.
I will take the part to a marine shop tomorrow and see whether they have a replacement.

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

Looks like you might be right.
I took it apart. Or more precisely it fell apart once I took the bolt out.
Not sure how it goes back together exactly or whether I have to buy the whole thing or just the aluminum piece, assuming that's the fuse part that breaks when something goes wrong.
Anyway, I'll check at the marine shop tomorrow.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fXE5BIoIWnoWIetBS7-v6dNKFA4X6h8E/view?usp=sharing

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GalacticWaterman
Boat: Four Winns H180 2006 3.0L Mercruiser 135 hp with Alpha I Gen. 2
Tow Vehicle: Honda Ridgeline

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