how to get my outboard engine up?

[rjrutah]

I have a 1980 marlin low profile speed boat with 115 mercury outboard. Last week, I tried to start it for the first time this season. The battery was dead, so I hooked it up to my car, still wouldnt start. I let it sit a while, put some gas in it, then it started. Now a week later it won't start again. I was just doing this in the driveway. I assume its because the boat hasn't been out on the lake this year and hasn't had time to recharge the battery by running for a while.
BUT, today it won't start, despite hooking it up to a car batter with jumper cables for 1/2 hr or so. AND, I can't get the engine to tilt back up. I'm new to boats, but before I could just pus a trim up button (I think thats what its called) and the engine would go up. Now it won't .

Any thoughts?>
Thanks

 

[ski333]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

have you checked all lead to the battery are on i had the same problem wouldn't start and trim was not working because i left on of the black leads of the battryearth()

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

Best advice - Get a proper engine manual. The first time you read it it has actually paid for itself.

Have the battery charged properly and read the FAQ section on this board on waking sleeping outboards.

Welcome to the board.

 

[ronnyd8719]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

your trim may be connected to the trolling motor battery

 

[rjrutah]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

i just tried it again. battery leads are on
i left it charging for a couple hours, still no luck
my biggest worry is the prop wont go up so i can't even tow it somewhere to be looked at
is there a way to override that trim switch to get the prop up.

 

[ski333]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

take the battery out of your car try it in the boat if still the same check fuse or trip switches?is there any poer there ???????you should have some thing hapening if not its fuse /trip problem

 

[gss036]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

There is a manual relief valve/screw on the lower side of the engine mounting bracket, loosen 4 turns and you can raise by hand. DO NOT LOSSEN THE FILL SCREW, it is pressurized and should only be open when the engine is raised.
Sounds like you are ready for a new battery, they don't last forever.

 

[deerra]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

I keep my battey on a Battery Tender. It stays fully charged and increases the life of the battery.

 

[gss036]

Re: how to get my outboard engine up?

I also keep my batteries on a tender, but they still die after a few years. If you have a good charge, then I would suggest you check all your connections for a good clean connection. Check your grounds. Are you getting power to the starter/or just a clicking sound?
If you know how, you could jump straight to the starter connection on the motor. You would at least know the starter is working.
As suggested above, maybe something is staying on drawing the battery down quickly.