1995 40hp Merc Force Problems

[Trzeciak]

Hello everyone,

I am a brand new boater and I bought a little bass boat for the river. I have taken it out a dozen times without one problem. Yesterday I launched it from a stream idling then opened it up on the river. Everything seemed fine then about 300 yards out it died. I tried starting it back up it would run for about 3 seconds and just die. There was plenty of gas and I have no idea what to do or where to turn. Also, I checked my batteries to see the charge. The cranking battery was almost dead and my other one was 1/2 charge. I left my battery charger on all night the night before, and its suppose to shut off after the battery is fully charged. My battery charger is 1 month old and the batteries are less than a year old. Is the batteries bad? Is the charger bad? Any information on any of these matters would greatly be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1995 40hp Merc Force Problems

1995 uses a mag cd ignition, the battery is simply a convenience so that you don't have to use the pull rope starter.

That fact that it starts for a few seconds tells me that the ignition is functining.

Are you re-priming the fuel with the squeeze bulb between starts?

You probably have a problem in the fuel system, a poor seal on a quick connect fuel fitting, cracked hose, sucking air into the fuel line, weak or dead fuel pump, clogged pick up tube in the tank, etc.

 

[Trzeciak]

Re: 1995 40hp Merc Force Problems

Thank you for the quick response! The fuel hose/primer appears to be in good condition. I tinkered with it out in the river priming, disconnecting, and every which way to try to get it started. Ultimatly it was the same result.