88 Merc Carb and starter problem

[CatlinstultsCatlinstults]

Ok this may take a minute to explain and I am new to working on my own boat so if I get some terms wrong I apologize.

I began having problems with my boat coming out of the hole. It would rev up to around 5000 rpm when not in gear but if I put it in drive it would run fine at idle speed but when I tried to come out of the hole the motor would bog down and shut off. Well I assumed this meant the boat was not getting enough gas. So I brought the boat home and bought some sea foam and carb cleaner. Went through all the steps with the sea foam and carb cleaner. I noticed that when the motor was running and I sprayed the cleaner into either of the top two carbs the motor would nearly shut off but if I sprayed it into the bottom carb the engine would rev up. I assumed this meant there were problems with the bottom carb so I took it off and when I took it aprt there was a price of plastic lodged in the diaphragm. I was hopeful that was the problem. I put the carb back together and put it back on the boat. I was working on this in my yard and when I first restarted the boat I realized I didn't have the water hose turned on soo I immediately shut the motor off. When I got the water turned back on I went to restart the motor the starter did not turn the fly wheel. It had never done this before and had just started the boat. I have removed the starter to get it worked on. Tested it with 12v directly from the battery. I can turn the flywheel with my hands so I don't think the motor is locked up. Can anyone think of any reason why the starter quit instantly I always thought they gradually went bad. Or any other ideas as to why I would have problems with the hole shot would be great

115 Merc 88 "tower of power"

 

[Maxz695]

Re: 88 Merc Carb and starter problem

If your motor bogs when throttling up check the carbs to be sure no fuel is in the throats. You may be running a bit lean. you should bring the mixture screws out evenly 1/8th turn at a time until you get a good holeshot. The amount of turns out from a light seat start at 1 1/2 and can turn out to approx 2 to 2 1/4 turns before finding the sweet spot. GL Check all terminals and grounds including any from the stater ground to the carb cover. If the cable ground is not secure to the front cover it will not turn over. Just a suggestion.

 

[oldman570]

Re: 88 Merc Carb and starter problem

Have you checked the fuses to see if one has blown out or used a test light to varify that the voltage is getting to the selinoid and starter.
Oldman570