Help!! engine trouble

[keana]

I dropped my boat off the trailer into the drink at Penarth ready to go out fishing the other day and the engine failed to start. Two days before that, I was out fishing in it and it seemed to take ages for it to fire up although it did eventually after giving the battery a hell of a bashing. This time the engine let me down on the slipway having run the battery to oblivion (thank god it was still on the slipway). Took it home and stripped it down expecting to find some points under the flywheel. But after a few minutes tapping away at the flywheel, it came off it`s tapered post only to discover a load of magnets and coils......no points....... Now i`m foxed. I`ve now recharged the battery and put it all back together.
I replaced the plugs and starter motor about two months ago so I can eliminate the starter as a reason for the loud "click" when I turn the key. But thats all that happens now when I turn the key...."click". First it would`nt fire, now it won`t even turn over.......Has anybody got any ideas that I might try please otherwise it seems like an expensive stay in dry dock ?
The engine is a 1983 25hp Merc 2 stroke (blue band).

[Portland Pirate]

I had exactly the same problem with an old blue band that I had. I found out that the earth cable was coroded quite a bit up through the insalation. Once I had replaced the earth cable I never had any more problems

[keana]

Thanks PP. Sounds like an easy solution. I`ll give it a try.

[nimue]

Another common problem with outboards is the little cog wheel that flips up to engage the flywheel.....doesn't. A very small amount of corrosion will make it stick in the sleep position. I find a spray of the saintly WD40 and a few whacks frees it!!!
Best of luck...Jules

[keana]

Cheers Jules. I`m sure its something simple like that. I was asking around in a marine service depot today and was told that they`d just fitted a new electronic power pack to a 1986 Merc like mine and it cost £140 +vat. I can just see me getting ripped off for something like that if i`m not careful. Trouble is I dont know enough about them. I assume he meant electronic ignition. I didnt even think electronic ignition was in use back in the 80`s. All I know is that there are no points so I guess it must be.

[Codfather]

Hi Keana

I don't want to sound stupid but an engine needs 3 things to work

1 - Fuel
2 - Spark
3 - Compression

3 is easy try turning the engine over by hand, with it switched off just in case, can you feel it going stiff each time the pistons go over? If yes, great!

2 is also easy, when the starter is sorted do you see a good fat spark jump on the plug? Yes - great (timming might be out however)

1 - Is fuel getting to the engine from the tank? Does it get to the carb?
If no check fuel filters, if yes are the carb jets blocked with oil/crap?

Once you find an area to work on it then becomes easier to delve deeper.

As for the starter not working, as suggested check the earth wire, if you have a simple volt meter the starter solinoid should have 2 heavy cables attached, one is from the battery the other to the starter motor. When you turn the key do you get 12volts accross these terminals? If no but you hear a click it could be the solinoid that is faulty.

This might help you start to locate a fault.

Caution, DO work on the engine OUTSIDE if you have been working on the fuel lines etc. as a spark could set off a nasty fire!

Hope this helps

Coddy

[keana]

Thanks Coddy. That doesnt sound stupid at all. Its me thats the stupid one. It all sounds so logical when you talk in simple terms. Fuel, Compression, spark.
I know theres compression because i`ve felt the resistance on the pull start. I know theres fuel getting to the cylinders because the plugs were wet. From your process of elimination that leaves an electrical fault somewhere. The clicking noise when I turn the key, is round about where the solenoid and starter are located so my next job will be to see if theres power going across the solenoid.
This is what I cant understand. The engine was turning over perfectly until I ran the battery down. It just wouldnt fire........I`ll have another play with it tonight if I get chance. Thanks again for your help mate.

[Fisher 1]

This may also sound stupid but is the battery your using in good order after the battery had a good bashing as you said.
Check she's fully charged and if possible try another battery that you know is sound,check connections at the battery are nice and tight as these can work loose depending on how they are secured.

[keana]

Cheers F1.
I`ve just had my starter motor back from the guy who serviced it last time(about 2 months ago). He said it was in good nick and nothing wrong with it. I fitted it back onto the engine last night and it still wont turn over. Checked out the solenoid. On the turn of the key there`s power going through the solenoid and to the starter motor terminal.
The battery is brand new (2 months ago) and I charged it for a day and a half after giving it that last bashing and assumed it would be ok. Your right though, it could be that i`ve knackered the battery and therefor insufficient power to turn it over. So tonight i`ll try the one off my car and if that doesnt work........It has to, there cant be anything else.............at least then i`ll be able to turn the engine over to find out why it wont fire. There are no points in it and i`ve changed the plugs. i`ve been told that it`s electronic ignition and that a new power pack (switch box) costs about £140. Apparently they`ve just changed one on a 1985 Merc........AAAAArrgggghh, all I want to do is fish,........

[Codfather]

Hi Andy

Just a thought, you might read 12 volts on a meter but it may not be able to pass the current to turn the starter motor. This would mean that the solinoid main contacts are f**ked. You could, if you are very careful, short out the two main conections on the solinoid and see if that turns the starter motor.

Coddy