Merc 165 won't restart

[CTBoater2004]

I am a first time boat owner with a 1986 Wellcraft Classic 192 with 165 HP I/O. I have had the usual learning curve for a new boater and have been able to tackle most of my problems through research, especially here in the I-boat forums. I have now encountered a problem that I am yet to solve. <br /><br />When I start my boat cold it turns over right away, no problems. I can run it for any length of time, as long as two hours straight or as little as 15 minutes. Once I turn it off I have enormous trouble restarting it. <br /><br />I have tried to troubleshoot various things; battery, voltage regulator, stator, and currently suspect the starter. I have gotten lots of opinions from friends and neighbors on what to check. What I am looking for is a definitive sequence of tests or actions I can take to identify and correct the problem. <br /><br />Here is the best evidence I can provide so far. Last Saturday I went for a 90-minute cruise and never turned the boat off. When I was safely back at the dock my wife and I shut the boat off and let it sit for about 10 minutes. When we tried to turn it over it turned over, but very slowly, not enough to start the engine. To check and see if it was a drained battery I hooked it up to a brand new battery, purchased that morning (that was not hooked up to anything during the cruise). The results were exactly the same. I have not started the boat since. It is also probably worth noting that the negative connection on the battery was hot enough that I needed to use pliers to disconnect it from the original battery. <br /><br />I have read a bunch of posts regarding the different components I mentioned but could not find one helping me identify which component to focus on. I have some mechanical inclination but am new to boat mechanics and electrical. I can identify all of the engine parts (with the help of a manual) but sometimes the suggestions in it are a bit over my head. <br /><br />Sorry for the long post.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

I'm not going to Solve your Problem......<br />I'm thinking it Might be a Few Things.........<br />The 1st Issue I see is,<br />

the negative connection on the battery was hot enough that I needed to use pliers to disconnect it from the original battery.

Heat,<br />Is a sign of ressistence........<br />Remove,<br />Clean to Shiney Metal,<br />And,<br />Reinstall All of your Ground Connections ............<br />

I have some mechanical inclination but am new to boat mechanics and electrical.

Gooood........<br />Do you own a Multi-Meter yet ??????<br />If you Don't, Go Buy 1..... You're going to Need it....... <br />You don't need a real Fancy 1.. Just a $10.00, or $20.00 one will do everything You Need.........<br /><br />Get this Done,+ We'll see where you're At...........

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Oh Ya..........<br /><br />Welcome to iboats Forums.......

 

[CTBoater2004]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Bondo,<br />Thanks for your quick reply and your welcome. There are a few things I left out, but the post was too long as it is.<br /><br />I do own, well borrowed, a multimeter but I am not entirely sure how to use it. If you have any hints/suggestions on how to use it please let me know. Again, I understand plain english but have had some trouble with the tech talk in my Mercruiser Manaul, again borrowed... LOL.<br /><br />Let me know what you are thingking and I will try it out.<br /><br />It is supposed to be a nice day tomorrow so I should have some time to go test a few things. <br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

CT, Bondo does know his way around and some other issues that could cause warm start problems are; improper timing setting and fuel vapor lock.One thing to try to avoid is shutting down the engine after a run without letting it idle for a few minutes as that helps equalize everything and also gives the engine time to cool down.Make sure your meter can measure DC volts.Here are some tune up specs for ya;<br /> http://www.marinemechanic.com/specs/mc-ole-inline.htm <br /><br /> <br />Just my $0.02

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Along with Blk-n-Blu's tips,<br />You'll want to find out If,+ Where, You have 12Volts+.......<br />Follow the Starter Circuit, from the Batt, to the Starter Motor.......<br />If you have a Solid Voltage, And the Ampereage Available.......<br />It Should Start.....<br /><br />Check the Timing,+ such.......<br />Then look to the Starter........ <br />My Guess is, <br />It's on it's Way Out........<br /><br /><br />And,<br />Don't Forget the Ground Circuit........<br />We Already Know you have an Issue There.........

 

[CTBoater2004]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Neophyte question...<br />I have checked my positive and negatice ground wires from the battery to the engine and they are both clean and solid. Alright, maybe not a "new penny shine" but solid and corrosion free none the less. I have also checked all of the connections on the volt regulator and they are clean. Any suggestions on where else to look for a bad ground?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Wire Brush or sandpaper the Batt terminals......<br />Do the same on the Engine ends......<br />And, the same on All the (+) Wires.......<br />Do you have a Volt gauge ????<br />What does it read ???<br />How does it Behave ???<br />

Any suggestions on where else to look for a bad ground?

Pretty Far Fetched, But,<br />Try a jumper cable from the Starter Housing to the Batt Ground.........<br />I've seen a Rusted Starter, that was just loose enough, that couldn't draw it's ground thru the bolts,+ block.........

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

CT, Have a look at this link;<br /> http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51250 <br />Hope it helps.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Ya,.........<br />That's the Ticket..................

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

I would pull the starter and have it bench<br />tested. There are "draw" specs. I once<br />had 3 new starters benched in the store<br />before 1 showed proper amp draw. I took that<br />1 home.

 

[CTBoater2004]

Re: Merc 165 won't restart

Blk-n-Blu, that is good stuff, exactly what I think I need. I am printing it out and gonna study up and give it a go. Thanks for all the help guys. I will let you know how it goes.