cant start my mercruiser 140.

[newbie boater]

my 140 trys to turn over but it wont start . i winterized it after last season and fogged the engine and put antifreeze in. now i try to turn her over and she wont start. i checked the distributer cap and its dry. everthing else seems alright any suggestions thanks

 

[llerrad]

Re: cant start my mercruiser 140.

So have you done the usual stuff like checked for spark at a plug and then coil wire, when you crank the engine is the rotor turning, do you have points are they stuck together, is there fuel pumping into the carb. Is the shift cut out switch working or stuck. Let us know if you have gone through the usual basic checks and what have you found then report back.

 

[newbie boater]

Re: cant start my mercruiser 140.

havent done anything yet. im a real newbie.. where do i start and can i do this by myself.. like turning the key and seeing sparklk?? or the rotor spinning.. only thing i did do was check the inside of the dist cap and it was dry. the boat ran fine last year, thanks

 

[danthern]

Re: cant start my mercruiser 140.

There are a few preliminary things that you can do to rule out the simple solutions. To check spark to the plugs, place an insulated screwdriver in the plug wire and prop or tie the driver blade approx. 1/4-1/2 inch from the block, turn the engine over and look for a spark. You'll be able to see it better if you do it when its dusk. You can take the fuel line loose at the carb and turn the engine over and see if you have a steady stream of fuel. does it act like it wants to start or just spin? If you have points, remove the distributor cap and spin the motor to make sure they are opening and closing and the rotor is turning. You need to determine first if its a fuel or an ignition problem. Make sure you have fuel in the tank, of course. If you have a manual, go to the troubleshooting section. often you can get a good start there. Good luck!

 

[iwldntli2u]

Re: cant start my mercruiser 140.

Check your fuel. Is it new or old. You might want to put some stablizer or dry gas in the tank. Pop off you fule filter and check for water and it cleaned. Get Fuel, Check Spark. Bamm she should fire.