Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

[SeaRayViking]

A very saddening incident took place yesterday. Went for a ride in the boat for the first time in 1,5 months - or so i thought.

Full power on the battery, but i wouldn't start! It went "clonck!" quite hard. Sounds like the starter couldn't crank the engine.

Tried to crank the engine manually with a wrench, but no luck.

IF the worst case scenario (water in engine) is a reality - is it really possible that the enginge can get stock from standing in just 4 weeks?

(it had a tune up i May and had been sailing like a dream since then! Beaufiful idle, running and sound)

I'm desperate: Is it the starter engine? Is it the neutralswitch that's broke? or is the engine stuck from salt water i cyl's?

Any one with some suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

or is the engine stuck from salt water i cyl's?

Ayuh,....

Pull the Sparkplugs,+ See...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

Woa not so fast, could be the drive not allowing the motor to crank.

What sorta motor and out drive?

Pull the out drive see if it turns then.

 

[SeaRayViking]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

Hi,

Hmm...u're right. it could be the drive.
the engine is a 1990 4,3 merc (205hp) with a alpha one gen 1 (1:84R) drive.

However the boat's in the water, so i can't get to pull the drive...

Any other way tio check whether it's an enginge or drive problem?
thanks

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

Just in case your starter drive is locked up, did you try cranking it in the opposite direction just a little, to free it up? Otherwise when pulling the plugs, look for water,,, if none, put some Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder, then try it again.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

18 year old boat this might not be a one day thing. Something has the motor frozen.

Pull the boat out of the water pronto.

You have a trailer?

You do the work on the boat?

You leave it in the water? Over the winter?

 

[SeaRayViking]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

well, i have no trailer (we rent every time and install the boat on a stand).

Regarding the repair - yes we fix things ourselves - anything mechanical, that is... The only things we don't do, are the trickier electronical stuff.

Bottom line is that i can't just pull it ouf of the water.

To the latter question, it's allways winterized and stays off water/in door fra october - april.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

You need to pull the spark plugs & try to spin the engine either with the starter or a breaker bar on the crankshaft nut......
Have you checked the oil level?, if it has risen on the stick, you probably have water intrusion....
If it has sat with salt water in it for a month, your engine is toast.....
Getting the engine to spin is the first thing.....

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser Wont start/crank (maybe stuck!!??)

step 1 is to pull the plugs and try it with the starter or by hand
step 2 is to pull the drive

Unfortunately there is no middle step.