Mercury 4hp not starting!!!

[wilf1234]

Hi,

I have a late 1990's Mercury 4hp outboard that came off my Boston Whaler and has been in my garage since 2006. It was working fine when stored but unfortunately i didn't winterise it or drain anything when i stored it!

I took it out yesterday to see if still runs and it seems completley dead, flywheel is spinning very roughly but no sign of life anywhere else.

I took the plug out and cleaned all the gunk off it but still no joy.

Is there a simple check list I need to go through to get the beast working?
Do i need to change the fuel?
Where is the water intake? (i.e. how far does the leg need to be immersed!!)
As you can probably guess i'm a complete novice with 2-strokes!!

thanks in advance for any advice

cheers

 

[JustMelfort]

Start with the basics: Kill cord attached, has it got fresh fuel? Presume its 2 stroke so ensure that you have the correct mix, but first pour out any old stuff. Keep it aside and use it later when your problem is sorted. Turn on the fuel tap - if it has one - and pump the fuel in if their is a bulb, but if an internal tank there won't be.

Remove spark plug. Is there a smell of fuel from the cylinder (spark plug hole) when you turn the engine over with no spark plug? If not, you will probably have to clean the carburetor as the old furl has probably gummed up the jets. Another thread in itself!

If fuel, try starting again. If not, is there spark? Take spark plug out and rest it on the metal of the engine with the lead attached. Get a mate to pull the engine over and it should spark. If not, try a clean plug and ensure the plug has good metal to metal contact when trying this.

If in doubt. Start all of this with new fuel mix and a new spark plug.

Come back for more....

 

[Cliveshep]

Condensation plus ali carbs plus fuel lead to a degree of oxides forming in the carb. On such a small engine the jets are small and easily blocked with loose bits which is almost certainly problem 1 assuming you have a spark. Get the carb off, get the jets blown out with an air line, put in fresh fuel and discard the old stuff (chuck it in the wife's car!). In my experience with small engines and I've got 4 gennies, 4 outboards, two mowers, a hedge cutter and a strimmer most if not all problems after a layup come down to old fuel, dirty jets, condensation of plugs etc. Just work through the little list and you should have no problem.

As for water, assuming a short shaft mount the thing over a dustbin of water so that the cavitation plate is submerged by a couple of inches simulating how it is on the boat. That way it'll suck up water when it starts. Good luck

 

[wilf1234]

thanks guys - just a quick q - i assumed that the water intake is around the prop housing soemwhere, but i can't see any intake holes
(on my mariner 75 i have 6 nice holes at the front of the prop housing!)
anyone know where the water intake is so i can be doubly sure i don't knacker the impeller!?

thanks again

 

[JustMelfort]

Normally intake is just under cavitation plate. As long as cavitation plate a good couple on inches underwater you'll be ok.
It might look like a small scoop rather than a series of holes.

 

[VicS]

Owners manual if you do not have one should be available via the download center at http://www.brunswickmarineemea.com/homepage/welcome

See "Awakening a sleeping outboard" and "Outboard wont start" on the iBoats Engine FAQs forum

Any specific problems you dont get satisfactory answers for on here post on the Mercury & Mariner board at iBoats