09 212SS Port engine rough crank no start

[ltw77]

I hope everyone is well! I noticed a few weeks ago, when I fired up the engines for the first time this year, the port engine was extra rough sounding but did run for the 5-10 seconds as usual to see that all is well. The starboard engine fired up as normal and ran smooth. I am familiar with the sound of these engines running in the driveway/garage not in the water with the hatch open. It can be disconcerting but I have gotten used to it.
I tested the engines again today before replacing the spark plugs. Everything is the same but now the port engine will not run. The cold crank sounds horrific. I feel like its metal on metal somewhere in the equation. No fault codes showing and nothing else seems to be out of order. I was thinking perhaps the wear ring could be an issue but I haven't found anything solid in my searches that tick all my boxes for the possible culprit. I did replace the spark plugs on both engines and the condition is the same. The starboard engine is good to go. Thank you in advance for any possible ideas on where to start!

ps. boat stays in garage attached to house, where it has lived happily since 2011(in case that info may shorten the possibilities)

 

[tdonoughue]

Have you pulled the pump to see the clearance and whether there is any impingement on the problem engine? If you are suspecting that first (and you have already changed the plugs--good job there), I would go with your suspicion and see if there is wear on the impeller edges and impact on the wear ring...

 

[David Martin]

Sounds like the impeller is rubbings the SS housing it spins in.

 

[ltw77]

Thanks for your thoughts! I’ll get to pulling the pump this week and report back in case it helps anyone else. Have a great week everyone!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

spray some wd -40 in the pump from the nozzle side and try to crank them up your pump liners have swollen and are rubbing on the impellers it is quite common due to dissimilar metal corrosion gets bad if the boat is not run for a long time.

 

[ltw77]

I’d like to start off with a big thank you to Jeff! I took his advice being the easiest option first. I soaked the impeller down and held my breath. It took a couple cranks but it started. I ran it for 10 seconds or so and sprayed it with wd40 several times on and off. Then I used some amsoil lubricant spray I had that’s a bit thicker to try and soak in overnight. Fired it up again the next day and it does sound rough(could be in my head though)but it is acting normal. The engine sounds normal and is consistent with the starboard side. Gotta do oil changes and put it in the water.
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to share your experience with me!