Outboard

[petem]

Finally got round to commissioning our new outboard (Mercury 3.5). Followed all instructions but starter cord won't retract. It's like the thing is seized. Any ideas?

 

[BruceK]

try a little oil under the pulley. If that's not it and more probable is the recoil spring has unravelled. Easy enough to rewind but be careful if you decide to take it apart. The spring is under tension and can whip around.

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercury-outboard-parts/35/64241690-and-below-ml/recoil-starter

 

[No Regrets]

Have you knocked it into gear?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Have you knocked it into gear?

Agree. Sounds like its in gear

 

[VicS]

Finally got round to commissioning our new outboard (Mercury 3.5). Followed all instructions but starter cord won't retract. It's like the thing is seized. Any ideas?

Spring broken ?

If its new take it back to the dealer !

 

[volvopaul]

Spring broken ?

If its new take it back to the dealer !

If it’s a 4 stroke and you have laid it wrong way up the cylinder could be full of oil , take the plug out and try it .

 

[petem]

If it’s a 4 stroke and you have laid it wrong way up the cylinder could be full of oil , take the plug out and try it .

Paul, I suspect you are correct. Presumably if I remove the spark plug and crank it then it will spray the oil out?

 

[BruceK]

? You said the starter cord wont retract, not it wont pull. If it pulls ok but doesn't retract it's unlikely to be an engine issue....surely?

 

[petem]

Sorry Bruce, it won't pull out. My bad english!

 

[BruceK]

OK, not the recoil spring then.

 

[petem]

A quick search of Google gives some hints to fixing this. Will sort in the morning.

 

[[2068]]

I'm assuming you've checked that the lock pin that only enables a start in neutral is is the "unlocked" position.

 

[BruceK]

Surely the User Manual has that nugget of info in ?

 

[stelican]

Can you try to RTBM?

 

[VicS]

I'm assuming you've checked that the lock pin that only enables a start in neutral is is the "unlocked" position.

Surely the User Manual has that nugget of info in ?

Can you try to RTBM?

I dont see any mention of this "lock pin" in the owners manual. Perhaps the OP has not seen it either.

Whereabouts is it mentioned?

 

[BruceK]

Spoilsport!

 

[[2068]]

Wow, it looks as if the 3.5hp doesn't have it.
So you can start at full throttle in forwards gear and blend whoever is in front of you into fish bait.

 

[VicS]

Wow, it looks as if the 3.5hp doesn't have it.
So you can start at full throttle in forwards gear and blend whoever is in front of you into fish bait.

You get used to it if you own a Seagull

 

[[2068]]

You get used to it if you own a Seagull

Many years ago, "we used to have one of those".
I still have the scars on my head from where Dad hit me with the starter rope (without meaning to).

 

[petem]

Ok, so have removed oil from cylinder and have ckeaned plug. Engine turns over but won't fire. In neutral, kill cord in, fuel in tank, choke out. Any ideas?