Mercury 50hp starting problems

[danglingdino]

My Mercury 2 stroke 50 hp (1988) has a continual problem starting. When in the water, it can sometimes take 5 or 10 minutes to fire, when it does eventually turn over it is totally choked up, and takes some time to clear itself. Once going it is generally fine. I've tried various things like no choke, with choke, priming the bulb, no priming etc etc it all makes no difference. The curious thing is that it will start first time every time out of the water with the ear muffs on. I'm going broke getting so called marine dealers to rectify the problem -they keep charging and claiming problem is fixed, but it never is. Motor is electric start, forward controls and mounted on a 4.5 mtr Savage.<br />Any assistance would be greatly apppreciated.<br />Dino

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

Dino,<br /> Ask your service tech. if he/she performed a compression check on the motor.You may have a low compression situation.

 

[danglingdino]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

Compression was fine on all cylinders.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

This may seem like a stupid question, but I guess there are no stupid questions when it comes to outboards....<br /><br />I would like to know your procedure for starting the engine.... Are you following the starting procedure that is in the manual? <br /><br />I basically have the same motor, except it's a 1984 50hp... What I would recommend is checking that, (you may be already).<br /> <br />This works for me...<br />Don't forget to open up the vent on the gas tank. <br />What I do to start, is Prime the bulb until fairly firm, no more. Move the accelerator (while in NEUTRAL of course) to the first stop (fast idle) location. Turn the key and choke until it fires, don't choke more than two seconds at a time if it doesn't fire. If it fires and then stalls, repeat until it starts. When it does start, give it gas to get everything flowing nicely and you should be in business....<br />Now if you are having flooding problems, be careful on the choking... Just a second or two when you turn the key should be enough... This procedure works nice for me when it's cold... <br /><br />If it's not firing at all with this process, you must have something wrong either with fuel or ignition (plugs etc.) Make sure you have a 50-1 mix, and new fuel. I can't explain why it would start right up with rabbit ears and not when you're at the lake. Make sure you are following the same procedure each time. It's easy to forget something when you're you at the ramp.<br />Good luck...<br />Let us know what happens...

 

[driver27]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

im no expert, but Ill be a dollar to a donut that the fuel pump is bad. Mine did the same thing and I tried everything. When I rebuilt the fuel pump, it was like a totally different motor. Id try it, the rebuild kit was only 10 bucks at the merc dealer.

 

[danglingdino]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

I have tried all the suggested options. I follow the user manual to the letter with the starting procedures, but to no avail (unless the boat is out of the water connected up to the ear muffs).<br />As mentioned before, once it does fire up and clears itself out it is generally fine so it does seem to suggest some flooding/choking problem. Plugs, fuel lines & primer bulb have all been replaced. I guess it won't hurt to rekit the fuel pump - got nothing to lose.

 

[driver27]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

It will be the best 10 bucks youve ever spent on the boat. Let me know how it works for you.

 

[leth8dei]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

im having a simular problem with mine but mine is a 1996 50hp 4 stroke i need some good answers would like to use the boat this year

 

[Jake_MN]

Re: Mercury 50hp starting problems

This thread is 8 years old. Your best bet for getting a response would be to start a new thread. People see a post count over 3 or 4 and ignore your post assuming someone else is helping you out.