will this ruin my motor?

aroundthehorn · 07-25-2012, 11:41 AM

This is part three. Here are one and two:
urgent question
neutral safety switch test?

Engine is a 1998 Johnson Ocenrunner 150.

SOOOOOO...I isolated the problem to the starter solenoid after I bought a new ignition key switch and a neutral safety switch; at least I have spare parts, which is actually good because Johnson stopped making the neutral switch in 2005.

Bought a new grounded solenoid at Arco, then got every bolt off but one: the bolt behind the solenoid that attaches it to the plate/mount under the fly wheel. As my huge, fat, clumsy, sausage-fingered man hands grabbed the little tiny bastard bolt it slipped and fell into the depths of the motor. I cannot find it to save my life. I can go buy a new bolt, that's not a problem.

My worries and my questions are these: if I cannot find the bolt that was lost down there, is there anything that it can interfere with or ruin (an exposed gear or something like that)? can I start and/or run the motor? how in the world could I go about getting it out? PLEASE HELP!

The Maintenance Shoppe · 07-25-2012, 11:56 AM

Cheap stainless steel is still magnetic. I would pull the fly wheel and make sure the tiny bolt did NOT get stuck up between the magnets on the flywheel. If that bolt came flying out at wide open throttle it could take out the stator, timer base, and flywheel, CAUSING $1500 PLUS IN DAMAGE.

jasoncooperpcola · 07-25-2012, 11:59 AM

It sounds like it fell down into the lower cowling somewhere. There are no exposed moving parts except for the shift shaft there. I dont think you will have a problem except it may vibrate and drive you crazy. A pic would really help.

aroundthehorn · 07-25-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

It sounds like it fell down into the lower cowling somewhere. There are no exposed moving parts except for the shift shaft there. I dont think you will have a problem except it may vibrate and drive you crazy. A pic would really help.

Jason, that's where it went, I'm pretty sure. From top to bottom on my motor's starboard side: fly wheel-->solenoid-->attached to mounting plate on/above a smallish bank of wires-->what appears to be the hole for the shift shaft.

It left my fingers and fell straight down. I have no idea how to get down in there to get it out.

Will go out later and try to get a pic.

The Maintenance Shoppe · 07-25-2012, 12:44 PM

Forget what I said,When you mentioned fly wheel is what brought me to that possible conclusion.

We will trim up the motor and use compressed air to dislodge any dropped fasteners.

aroundthehorn · 07-25-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Maintenance Shoppe

Forget what I said,When you mentioned fly wheel is what brought me to that possible conclusion.

We will trim up the motor and use compressed air to dislodge any dropped fasteners.

Thanks for the reply...will definitely keep an eye on it.

Any other help or advice that anybody has to give, please chime in. I guess this must happen a lot.

jasoncooperpcola · 07-25-2012, 01:03 PM

Like TMS said tilt the motor all the way up and it may appear. Try shaking it side to side also. It may help to take the air silencer manifold off the carbs, that helps a ton with access.

aroundthehorn · 07-25-2012, 01:09 PM

I'll be happy as long as the motor runs. I wish I had an air compressor....

deeptracks · 07-25-2012, 01:29 PM

use your yard blower... or your neighbors...!!

aroundthehorn · 07-25-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeptracks

use your yard blower... or your neighbors...!!

Now that is a good idea. Didn't even think of that.

07-25-2012, 11:41 AM	#1
aroundthehorn Senior Member White Marlin Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pensacola, FL and East Central AL. Posts: 3,801	will this ruin my motor? This is part three. Here are one and two: urgent question neutral safety switch test? Engine is a 1998 Johnson Ocenrunner 150. SOOOOOO...I isolated the problem to the starter solenoid after I bought a new ignition key switch and a neutral safety switch; at least I have spare parts, which is actually good because Johnson stopped making the neutral switch in 2005. Bought a new grounded solenoid at Arco, then got every bolt off but one: the bolt behind the solenoid that attaches it to the plate/mount under the fly wheel. As my huge, fat, clumsy, sausage-fingered man hands grabbed the little tiny bastard bolt it slipped and fell into the depths of the motor. I cannot find it to save my life. I can go buy a new bolt, that's not a problem. My worries and my questions are these: if I cannot find the bolt that was lost down there, is there anything that it can interfere with or ruin (an exposed gear or something like that)? can I start and/or run the motor? how in the world could I go about getting it out? PLEASE HELP!

07-25-2012, 11:56 AM	#2
The Maintenance Shoppe Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 655	Cheap stainless steel is still magnetic. I would pull the fly wheel and make sure the tiny bolt did NOT get stuck up between the magnets on the flywheel. If that bolt came flying out at wide open throttle it could take out the stator, timer base, and flywheel, CAUSING $1500 PLUS IN DAMAGE. __________________ *The Maintenance Shoppe* Full service boat, pwc, and trailer repair 4048 Creighton Rd Pensacola, FL. 850-221-6789 www.themaintenanceshoppe.com

07-25-2012, 11:59 AM	#3
jasoncooperpcola Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,635	It sounds like it fell down into the lower cowling somewhere. There are no exposed moving parts except for the shift shaft there. I dont think you will have a problem except it may vibrate and drive you crazy. A pic would really help. __________________ 1983 Wellcraft V-20 Steplift- capsized in the garage 1994 Mercury 2.5L 200 2013 Native Mariner 12.5 Propel (Lime) towed by: 1996 GMC C2500 6.5 Turbo Diesel or 2007 Honda Foreman 500S

07-25-2012, 12:44 PM	#5
The Maintenance Shoppe Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 655	Forget what I said,When you mentioned fly wheel is what brought me to that possible conclusion. We will trim up the motor and use compressed air to dislodge any dropped fasteners. __________________ *The Maintenance Shoppe* Full service boat, pwc, and trailer repair 4048 Creighton Rd Pensacola, FL. 850-221-6789 www.themaintenanceshoppe.com

07-25-2012, 01:03 PM	#7
jasoncooperpcola Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,635	Like TMS said tilt the motor all the way up and it may appear. Try shaking it side to side also. It may help to take the air silencer manifold off the carbs, that helps a ton with access. __________________ 1983 Wellcraft V-20 Steplift- capsized in the garage 1994 Mercury 2.5L 200 2013 Native Mariner 12.5 Propel (Lime) towed by: 1996 GMC C2500 6.5 Turbo Diesel or 2007 Honda Foreman 500S

07-25-2012, 01:09 PM	#8
aroundthehorn Senior Member White Marlin Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pensacola, FL and East Central AL. Posts: 3,801	I'll be happy as long as the motor runs. I wish I had an air compressor....

07-25-2012, 01:29 PM	#9
deeptracks Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 586	use your yard blower... or your neighbors...!!

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