Failed Yamaha Starter: Opinions Regarding Options

[hotajax]

Good afternoon: Hope the 2018 Fishing season is good. My starter died, it just spins without engaging the flywheel. I have several options, and I would like to ask you gents your opinions. Most important consideration is reliability and making it back to the marina.
OPTION ONE: Rebuild the failed starter. I have a shop nearby that is very professional and reliable that rebuilds starters and alternators. He's very good, and gets all the business from the local airport. As a pilot, it's nice to know the airplane has an alternator that is doing its job. He seems to think he can recondition it. Price would probably be around $100 but it would be my starter and I know it would fit.
OPTION TWO: Aftermarket. Price somewhere between $150 and 200. There is one outfit selling re-manufactured starters and has a two year warranty. It is a company I have heard of, Masco. I have heard that their quality is very good.
OPTON THREE: OEM. Price from Yamaha almost $700 with shipping.

Outside of the case is pristine, but I guess moisture could still sneak inside. I'm ready, give me the good and the bad of these options. Thanks, gents. Hot Ajax

 

[SkunkBoat]

Option one.

 

[Ky Grady]

Options 1 or 2.

We have good luck out of Arco aftermarket starters if those are an option for you. Does rebuild in option 1 have any type of warranty?

 

[hotajax]

Options 1 or 2.

We have good luck out of Arco aftermarket starters if those are an option for you. Does rebuild in option 1 have any type of warranty?

l

No warranty with the local rebuilder. Thank you for responding.

 

[Ky Grady]

Options 1 or 2.

We have good luck out of Arco aftermarket starters if those are an option for you. Does rebuild in option 1 have any type of warranty?

l

No warranty with the local rebuilder. Thank you for responding.

Only thing that concerns me, you stated "he seems to think he can recondition it". Can he or can't he, or is this a wait and see after I get it apart scenario? Guess you can take a chance and see if it works after the reconditioning. If it doesn't, are you still out the $100? If that's the case, then you are into a reman starter for $250-$300, since you've already invested the $100. Just something to think about.

 

[seasick]

if you have two batteries, before you replacing the sta it, check that the large gauge cable between both batteries negative terminals to verify that is actually connected and the connections are good

 

[Fishtales]

1

 

[hotajax]

Options 1 or 2.

We have good luck out of Arco aftermarket starters if those are an option for you. Does rebuild in option 1 have any type of warranty?

l

No warranty with the local rebuilder. Thank you for responding.

B'
Only thing that concerns me, you stated "he seems to think he can recondition it". Can he or can't he, or is this a wait and see after I get it apart scenario? Guess you can take a chance and see if it works after the reconditioning. If it doesn't, are you still out the $100? If that's the case, then you are into a reman starter for $250-$300, since you've already invested the $100. Just something to think about.

Kentucky Grady: Yes, It's a wait and see scenario. I took it to his shop, he didn't have time to bench test it at closing time. The problem I was having was that the Bendix drive was not kicking out. It was spinning, and you could hear that, but it wasn't engaging the flywheel. The apparent problem was a "burr" on the shaft that kept the starter gear from grabbing the flywheel. He said all good to go after polishing the burr out of the shaft. For $20, I'm back in business (I hope). Pretty close to a "free" starter. The acid test will be to put it on the boat and use the actual electrical system on the boat. It's an easy install on this engine. Took about 5 minutes to get it out. BTW, there are a very limited number of these starters left because of the age of the design. One highly respected merchant on this forum told me the price for a new OEM starter from Yamaha was almost $700.00.

Thanks for responding.

 

[Ky Grady]

Good deal!!! Sounds like it worked out in your favor. $700 is big money for a starter for sure.

 

[Fishtales]

Time to invest the balance in some needed gear! Good idea getting it checked...

 

[Bumpye]

Have you checked boats.net. Just checked my motor-2003 F225 and it was $460. Didn't check your motor. Also a pilot, had the starter rebuilt in our 66 Cherokee by a "very reputable shop" and it failed in the shop when the A&P tech went to start it. I don't think cleaning the teeth on the flywheel solved your problem. Original starter? Replace it.

 

[hotajax]

Have you checked boats.net. Just checked my motor-2003 F225 and it was $460. Didn't check your motor. Also a pilot, had the starter rebuilt in our 66 Cherokee by a "very reputable shop" and it failed in the shop when the A&P tech went to start it. I don't think cleaning the teeth on the flywheel solved your problem. Original starter? Replace it.

Cleaning teeth? My dentist does that. Actually there was a burr on the Bendix shaft..polished out and works just fine on the bench. There's a new starter 30 minutes away from my boat as a backup if the repair won't start using my batteries and my solenoid.

 

[Ky Grady]

Go put that starter back on, I'm curious of the outcome. Hopefully it will work and off you go.