Mercruiser 165 starting issues

[Cougar_Bait]

I pulled the boat out of storage to get it ready for the boating season. I went out and bought a new battery with 550 CCA. Came home, installed the new battery and the boat fired right up.

I let it idle for about 20 minutes and then shut it down. I went to start it again about 5 minutes later and it acted like the battery was low on juice. I did a couple turns of the key and it would eventually fire over.

I went out today and started it and it the boat fire right up. I have no idea what would make it seem like the battery is dead after it had been running for a bit.

I am at a loss on what it could be.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Ayuh,... Bad Wires, or Corroded connections...

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Like he said:bad wires bad connections or a (1st guess)dragging starter an engine that is out of time.J

 

[Cougar_Bait]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Ok...I'll get to checking those.

I also noticed a few other posts where the same issues were brought up. I am going to monitor those as well and see what comes up.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

I let it idle for about 20 minutes and then shut it down. I went to start it again about 5 minutes later and it acted like the battery was low on juice. I did a couple turns of the key and it would eventually fire over.

that sounds just like mine did when my manifold failed. water in the oil. water leaking out the water jacket into my exhaust runner. i assume i was trying to compress water... water don't compress for all practical purposes.. made it crank slowly like a dead batt.

might be relevant to know which 165 ya got. the 4 cyl. version or the 6 cyl. version. mine is the chevy 250 L6 version..

agree with others. clean the corrosion or tarnish off the connections. i do that every spring to as many connections as i can find to take apart.

 

[Cougar_Bait]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Appreciate everyone replies.

I took it to a guy who is a mechanic and he did a tune up and check over. He said the timing was way off which was causing the hard start issues. The boat fires right up now and runs very smooth.

Now I just need to get some plates on the trailer and I'll get the boat in the water and run it to see how it does.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Black as]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

If he said it was the timing, his wrong, because it would of done the same the first time around when starting, it was probably bad connection at the battery or starter

 

[Cougar_Bait]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

I've got worse issues now.

I think the impeller is shot. Its not sucking water up through the stern drive

 

[dpoff]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Well, it sounds like the engine started fine when cold but if you have impeller problems and the engine was cranking slow after running a bit, you`re engine overheated. Hope you havn`t damaged anything.

 

[Cougar_Bait]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Its at a Mercruiser Marina now getting a go through. Figured I should just hit the reset button and let them do their magic and get the boat back up to where it should be.

It did the same slow crank problem when the impeller was working.

 

[Cougar_Bait]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

The marina called today. They said the put a 1000 CCA battery in the boat and it is having no issues starting now...hot start or cold start.

Hoping to have everything fixed by tomorrow. They fixed the impeller and then stated that they could hear noise in the upper part of the stern drive. They are guessing gimble bearing and ujoints. They won't know for sure until they open it up. Also the shift cables need replaced as well.

It'll be a costly repair but worth it for the peace of mind knowing that everything is good to go and ready for the boating season. I'm just paying for the neglect it had from not ever being properly maintained. Won't be the case from now on.

 

[125graves]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

I'm a little late on posting. I have a 1987 Wellcraft 190 I bought new in 1987. I had slow starting issues for the first 10 years. Replaced starter, no help. Then got a 1000cca battery and been starting right up ever since.

 

[DJ]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

A 250 cubic inch engine does need a 1000 CCA battery to turn it over correctly.

There are other issues.

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

Hi Guys:

I see from the previous post that DJ is a Supreme Mariner with more than 18,000 posts, so it's with great trepidation that I reply as follows:

According to Mercruiser service bulletin Number: 83-1:

B. BATTERY REQUIREMENTS FOR MERCRUISER ENGINES - ALL MODELS

To obtain adequate cranking power for the 4-cycle Mercruiser engine, select a battery with the "Cold Cranking Amperage" of no less than:

2 amperes per cu. in. displacement for 4 cylinder engines
1 1/2 amperes per cu. in. displacement for 6 cylinder engines
1 ampere per cu. in. displacement for 8 cylinder engines


Therefore a 250 cu. in. inline 6 would need 375 cold cranking amps.

I have 2 such batteries in my boat and it works very well.

kilowatts

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 165 starting issues

A 250 cubic inch engine does need a 1000 CCA battery to turn it over correctly.

There are other issues.

I'm wondering if DJ meant to say "does not" need. A typo perhaps?