Replace or rebuild Lucas Marine M45G Starter Motor?

[Gilly Milne]

Is it possible to have this starter motor rebuilt or should it be replaced? If so, by whom? or replaced with what? And would it need to be an insulated earth?

 

I'm getting confused 😕 Thanks for any help given.

[Tony Brooks]

More information required, such as type of boat and material it is made from, plus the engine model.

 

In general, a properly wired boat can get away with an earth return starter as long as all the negatives are properly bonded and wired as for insulated return. I am sure an earth return motor will be cheaper, but probably not much in it for an overhaul.

 

I doubt the instrument senders and the glow plugs are insulated return, although if this is an old 2.2 they could be.

 

I think that we need your general location to recommend someone to overhaul it.

 

Before changing it, I would want to know a bit of history, the symptoms of whatever fault it has, and why you think it needs replacing. If this boat is new to you, I would initially suspect a negative wiring fault rather than a motor fault. See

for a similar problem that I suspect might have been caused by an insulated return starter,

 

[BEngo]

Talk to Lancashire Rotating Electrics.

 

N

[Tracy D'arth]

16 minutes ago, BEngo said:

Talk to Lancashire Rotating Electrics.

 

N

Definitely, LRE,  https://lre-ltd.co.uk/

[Gilly Milne]

Thank you for coming back to me.

The boat is a 1984 40 ft Steel Narrowboat, Thornycroft 90 based on a BMC 1.5 engine. I have had her since 2014 and based on the L and L near Skipton.

On a couple of occasions she refused to start, (clunk) not firing until someone from RCR came  'tapped it with hammer' and off she went. 

 

As all the wiring is of an age and somewhat patched in places, I am considering getting her rewired.

Any thoughts on  Marine Electricians for the engine would be gratefully accepted, as I can google and google and still don't know where to begin .

 

Many thanks

 

 

[Tony Brooks]

In my view you do not need an insulated return starter, but fitting an earth return one would involve fitting another heavy cable. I think that an overhaul will sort yours. Possibly worn/stuck brushes in the motor, sticky solenoid, or perhaps more likely burned contacts in the solenoid cap. If you can solder and are a bit practical, it is not too difficult to take the cap off and clean the contacts.

 

Edited to add: this can also be caused by low voltage at the solenoid operating terminal, so worn ignition switch/start button, discharged battery (especially if it does it manly at first start of the day), dirty/loose terminals, undersize wiring. I think the things related to the motor and solenoid are the more likely.

Edited November 25, 2023 by Tony Brooks

[Gilly Milne]

Thank you for the information Tony 

[john.k]

Replace it with a high speed geared starter..........the new price will be equivalent cost to a rebuild of an antique M45G.

[StephenA]

1 hour ago, john.k said:

Replace it with a high speed geared starter..........the new price will be equivalent cost to a rebuild of an antique M45G.

Looks like the one on the engine dates from 1982 - so hardly an antique, and nothing wrong with getting it refurbished. We had the starter motor on our 1.5 refurbished by a local specialist many moons ago and it was cheaper than buying a new one or doing a PX

 

[Tony Brooks]

4 minutes ago, StephenA said:

Looks like the one on the engine dates from 1982 - so hardly an antique, and nothing wrong with getting it refurbished. We had the starter motor on our 1.5 refurbished by a local specialist many moons ago and it was cheaper than buying a new one or doing a PX

 

 

That is why I asked for a rough location. The M45 is not a particularly rare starter, and using a local specialist would be easier than getting involved with couriers etc.

[Tracy D'arth]

I have asked before but got no answer,------  do new members not give their locations for a reason? It would make life much easier if we knew where they were located, as in this case.

Is it restricted like PMs until they have made 10 posts?

[Tony Brooks]

2 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

I have asked before but got no answer,------  do new members not give their locations for a reason? It would make life much easier if we knew where they were located, as in this case.

Is it restricted like PMs until they have made 10 posts?

 

I can see why people may be reluctant to say things like by bridge xx on such and such canal, especially if they are a lone woman boater, but giving a general location like Braunston or Napton is near enough for local boaters to give recommendations.

[Mikexx]

On 25/11/2023 at 18:50, Gilly Milne said:

On a couple of occasions she refused to start, (clunk) not firing until someone from RCR came  'tapped it with hammer' and off she went. 

 

As all the wiring is of an age and somewhat patched in places, I am considering getting her rewired.

 

 

Either sticky brushes or solenoid issues. I didn't think disassembly was that difficult and the solenoid, if suspect, can be replaced.

If you're adept with a soldering iron you could disassemble the solenoid and clean up the large copper contacts.

I'm sure there are some YouTube videos on the subject.

 

I supposed the 'patched' may be a reason to renew your wiring, however if it's isn't broke ................