2003 200hp Evinrude Starter Problem

[twinsguy]

Hey All, I’ve got a tricky issue that I’d like to get some advice on. Last fall I had my ‘new to me’ 2003 200hp Evinrude winterized and stored for the winter at a local boat dealership. I picked the boat up a couple of weeks ago and have had trouble getting it to start. After checking the battery, I pulled the cover off to see if the starter was functioning correctly.

I found that the top 3 nuts hold the cap portion of the starter in place were loose and the cap itself had broken in half. This was causing two problems: first, the broken piece of the cap was interfering with the flywheel and second, the starter gear was not disengaging from the flywheel.

I bought the boat in June of last year and had never touched the starter so there are only a couple options for how/when it happened

1. It happened during winterization or de-winterization.
2. The nuts worked themselves loose and it happened over time.
3. They have been loose from some work the previous owner did and the cap didn’t break until now.

So I guess my questions are:

Is it a normal winterization procedure to loosen these nuts for any reason?

And has anyone ever seen these nuts work themselves loose?

I'm going to talk to the dealership today, just wanted to see if the experts on this board had any insight for me.

Thanks

[Danrude]

2 or 3 are the most likely issues! either way it would not have been tightened properly at some point. The hood on the starter is available but i believe it is a little pricey. JMO.

[twinsguy]

Yeah, I know you're probably right but it is just so frustrating. I brought the boat to them last year and the starter was fine - I pick it up this spring and it's broke.

I talked to the mechanic that worked on it today and he was sympathetic but said they don't touch the starter during winterization. I believe him, he didn't even know what the problem was the first time he said it.

I'm going to talk to the manager tomorrow to see if he'll work with me on this.

Dan - any ideas on how to purchase just the hood? I've only been able to find it as part of the entire assembly.

[Danrude]

You are correct! I see the part number has changed and the one listed for your motor does not break down that far. The number for that part on the older motors is 0432939 but not positive it will fit.

[twinsguy]

It looks like it changed in 2002. Any ideas how I can figure out if it is the same part? Do they stamp part numbers on to parts like this?

[twinsguy]

Yeah, I know you're probably right but it is just so frustrating. I brought the boat to them last year and the starter was fine - I pick it up this spring and it's broke.

I talked to the mechanic that worked on it today and he was sympathetic but said they don't touch the starter during winterization. I believe him, he didn't even know what the problem was the first time he said it.

I'm going to talk to the manager tomorrow to see if he'll work with me on this.

Dan - any ideas on how to purchase just the hood? I've only been able to find it as part of the entire assembly.

[twinsguy]

Sorry about that double post, not sure what happened there.

[Danrude]

If you look at the two starters listed and compare the part number of the parts breakdown that are listed on the 2002 motor they match those on the 2000. I believe the part you need is the same on both. See if your dealer will order one and allow you to return it if it doesn't work.