MERCURY TRACKER 60 ELPTO starting issue-.

MFearis

Cadet
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
7
Need some experienced help troubleshooting issues with my Mercury Tracker 60 ELPTO Model# 1060412RT
After initially getting this motor running and installed we have had a series of issues and set-backs. Most recently I cannot seem to even get the thing to turn over which is why I'm writing this post. I will layout the series of events with some questions along the way. Need some help.
-After testing on land, installed on pontoon boat and launched. Started right up and drove short distance to dock. Didn't run longer because no water was coming out of **** stream whereas it was on land. We decided to run on the mixed gas at this point because we didn't know about the oil injector and if it worked or not.
-Found partial plug of wasp nest in water return tube. Removed, engine started and ran great.
-Took boat out and ran very well until the lower end got fouled by the heavy amount of algae/weeds in our pond in ME. Motor made clanking noise and shut down. It was very hot but we restarted after clearing the weeds. Return water was very hot but cooled eventually. Motor sounded bad with knocking sounds.
-Ran again a week later but it had very little power. Still sounded funny like it was not running on all cylinders.
-Thought the mixed gas plus the oil injection was too much oil and fouled a plug. Changed to new plugs with proper gap and replaced mixed fuel with straight 87 per manual.
-Got engine started eventually on new plugs and fuel and it smoked white the whole time we ran. Water flow was poor then good, then poor again. We tried to run more throttle to see if that helped the water but It got hot and eventually just made some loud bang noise and shut off. Could not restart! Motor was very hot. -Got engine started eventually on new plugs and fuel and it smoked white the whole time we ran. Water flow was poor then good, then poor again. We tried to run more throttle to see if that helped the water but It got hot and eventually just made some loud bang noise and shut off. Could not restart! Motor was very hot. Thought it had seized
-Let it cool down for a few hours and found I could turn the engine over by the flywheel. But since then, I cannot get it to turn over with the starter. The starter Bendix extends and it tries to turn the engine but it almost seems like it is in gear. Tried to put it in neutral manual but same results.
-Should I have not used straight gas without oil? Is the starter toast? Should I go back to mix gas and defeat the oil injector if the whole thing isn't completely shot at this point?
BTW, it is worth mentioning that at not point did I ever hear an audible alarm signaling a hot engine. Something else to troubleshoot.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,130
It is now time for a compression test.------The loud noises indicate trouble of the expensive kind.-----Did you just aquire this boat and did you get any coaching on the operation of a 2 stroke motor ?
 

MFearis

Cadet
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
7
We performed a compression test before installing the new plugs. 120 / 90 / 120 psi for each of the cylinders. The motor was free from a friend who didn't want the old boat it was on anymore and I had a small 15HP on my pontoon boat. So I'm comfortable around 2 strokes and had no problems with the smaller one for several years. Also checked and verified everything in order before putting the 60HP on the boat (except the overtemp alarm I guess) It wasn't until the cooling water intakes started getting clogged when things started downhill. Between that and not knowing what is going on with the oil injection, I'm not entirely sure I didn't mess things up pretty good.

When I turn the motor over by hand using the flywheel, I don't hear any metallic sounds but the prop turns which I don't think it should. I'm thinking about trying to rope start it and remove the starter to test it off. Is that the right direction to go in?
 

DavidMoore

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
183
Hope for you I'm wrong, but I fear your engine is toast.

Anyway stripping down and cleaning the starter can work wonders and is not difficult to do. You indicate you have the manual, the procedure should be in there.

Once the starter is working it's time to re-do the compression that test as racerone said.

Why?
Because excess oil would give blue smoke, the white smoke you report is a big concern, says you have water in the cylinders. Also look at the condition of the plugs, if one looks like it's brand new and never been used it's the one that's been steam cleaned and that's really not good. Might also explain why the water flow is erratic and why you thought the engine was seized but could be turned over later.

If the compression is good, the oil injection system test is described in the manual. Will involve running from a temporary tank of pre-mixed fuel for a period of time and measuring the qty of oil pumped. Can't give the details because I don't have the specs for your particular engine.
Or just bypass the oil system and run off pre-mix, up-to-you.

btw 120, 90, 120 are not nice numbers, they should be within 10% or max 15 %. of each other. Actual value being not so important because each gauge will read different. Imagine you get the engine running again, I heard seafoam can free up sticking rings. Never tried it myself just something for you to consider.
 
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