I Have a 1995 Johnson 130 hp model #J130TLEO / ID#G03944322 when I tried starting at the lake last it turned over like normal for the first two tries, then it started turning over slow like it had a dead battery, starter was pretty hot to the touch. I have made sure the battery is fully charged - checked all the wire connections to the starter to make sure they are clean and tight - cleaned the shaft on the starter that the smaller toothed wheel rides up and down on ( it was stuck up on the fly wheel at the lake ) - still getting the same results.

Question

1) how can I be sure it's the starter that's bad before I go plop down the cabbage for a new one?

2) is there a good online source for a new starter ( the marina close to me said it's 250.00 for a new one and it'd take 3 to 5 days to get )

3) is there a particular starter to stay away from (aftermarket-brand-etc)

thanks in advance for any feedback, God bless all

Jeepguyjames