Hi guys (and gals):

Was just wondering if anyone has seen a similiar problem (Twin 525 EFIs - one new, and one rebuilt by previous owner):

I am now situated in the tropics, so my boat stays at the marina over salt water (on a boat lift out of the water). Since I arrived, I have noticed that the starter on one engine (the rebuilt one) was showing signs of a weak solenoid. Starter would click, click a few times and then just whine, but the sprocket would not engage the flywheel. A few taps on it with a wrench and it would go ... so I suspected a weak solenoid. I have since pulled it and observed that the solenoid was A-OK ... but there was lots of corrosion between the drive sproket and starter shaft (very bad). I cleaned it up and reinstalled it after giving it a good coating of marine grease on the shaft and it worked fine again, but after one week of sitting ... same problem. I have since changed the starter, but this new starter has now done the same thing. Interestingly enough, I have not seen a bit of trouble with the starter on the other engine.

Has anyone seen this problem before?? Do I need a very special type of grease (besides standard marine grease) to use on the starter shaft?? I am thinking that possibly the old starter and new one have poor metalugy for the starter drive shaft and sprocket ... and they just can't cope with the salt air marine environment ... or ... I have a small leak somewhere that could be spraying my starter with a little bit of salt water??

Any other thoughts??

Are you 100% shur the battery going to that engine is trully giving you all the power it needs to start the engine.the gauge could show 12v all day but if you don't have the amps to back it up it will do what you'r talking about, also Make shur the battery cable is clean and tight at both ends same with the grounds.Some times you will have one good battery and the other one not so good and one engine will start good,the other engine will not start good. Some times the trim pump will work and some times it will not. If you have a battery switch try starting it up at each seting 1, 2 and all to see if it still clicks and try the trim pump on each setting also just so you know.good luck.

I have seen many starters stay in excellent shape even if the owner has water in the bilge salt or fresh. If it's still getting water on it and the header isn't leaking or the outside of the engine, maybe the water is coming from the back of the block from the freeze plugs. pull the dust cover of the back put the water to it and start the engine and look for the leak.