Newbie Needs Some Help - Starting Problems - Beer Provided :)

Freddy in Iowa

Recruit
Joined
Jun 6, 2018
Messages
2
Howdy everyone -

I have a 1993 Bayliner Capri 2050 with a Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Engine. I bought the boat off a friend who needed to part with it for quick cash. Needless to say, we are having problems getting it started.

Here is what I have done so far:

1) Battery Replacement - There were two batteries from 2011 in parallel connected to a Perko switch. I replaced both with new batteries.

2) Replaced the Sparkplugs - Sparkplugs were rusty, fouled so four new plugs and a beer later we are done...

3) Took all the cable connections off the starter and batteries and cleaned with a brush.

Go to start the engine - One click....nothing more...

Thousands of opinions, not sure where to go next. I haven't owned a boat since 1998 and am somewhat mechanical but prefer to have it explained like I do to my 7 and 12 year old....

Is it the slave selenoid (where is that located anyway)?
Is it the EST ignition coil?
Is it bad battery cables?
Do I remove the Perko switch?

Any help is appreciated.

Freddy
 

tpenfield

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Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,453
:welcome:

Take the spark plugs out, put some oil in the cylinders, and see if you can get the engine to turn over my hand. If it does, try turning it over with the starter. You can also check for spark when you are cranking the engine.

If all goes well, crank the engine with the starter until you see some oil pressure on the gauge. Then put the plugs back in and see if you can get it to start.

My thoughts are with rusty spark plugs, there may have been water in the cylinders and the engine is a bit seized. . . . or maybe more than a bit seized. :noidea:
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
51,243
soft click or a loud thuck

soft click is inadequate voltage clean the battery connections at the perko switch and at the block. I prefer scotchbright pads or a wire brush in a drill as they need to be shiny enough to eat off.

loud thuck is a frozen engine
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,238
Sparkplugs were rusty

Agree, get some oil in the cylinders

Is it the slave solenoid (where is that located anyway)?

Its on top the motor and usually near the 50 amp breaker, pic below.
Turn key ON, then jump across the 2 top terminals to see if the motor cranks over. If it still will not crank, then you probably have a boat anchor and need a new motor

Slave Relay 89-96054T.jpg
 

Freddy in Iowa

Recruit
Joined
Jun 6, 2018
Messages
2
OP Here...it is not a loud thunk it is just a click....

Did some more research last night and today will take the perko switch out of the mix and connect to one battery. I will also look for the selenoid.

Motor ran fine when I picked it up from the friend's house so fairly confident that it isn't the engine per se.

Will keep everyone posted....appreciate the tips.

Freddy
 
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