2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

[y not]

Hi Folks, My newish merc 121 hrs and reently serviced by a dealer just died when coming in from the last trip. <br />The low oil sensor did go off just prior to the stopping. there is still about a third of the resivoir left so just thought it was the sloppy conditions we were in. the motor is not seized there is spark there is full. If the oil is low is there a protection built in?

 

[JB]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

G'Day y not.<br /><br />What engine is it?<br /><br />What happens if you squirt some premix into the carb(s)?<br /><br />Check out the "Outboard wont start" article in Engine FAQs.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[springhead]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

I have an 04 merc 125, sensor will go off around a third full, but wont quit running,its just an alarm to me(hey dummy put some oil in here), like JB said squirt some gas in and see if it will start, basicly see if its getting gas, i know they have plastic wire ties instead of steel clamps on the gas lines, check them, i had one break the 2nd time out on my new boat,good luck

 

[gss036]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

Do you have a separate fuel/water filter? Check for water in it if you do. Lots of time in choppy water the water gets so mixed up with the fuel that you will get a lot of surging.

 

[y not]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

It is a 2003 saltater series carbueretted motor.<br />Yes, I do Have a water seperation filter & NO I haven't thought to drain. I it will do that this afternoon.<br /><br />I will also try spraying direct into the carbs. <br />The onboard line fuel filter is intact clean and connected (I had already thought of that one) with one end of it loose you can prime the bulb and and fuel squirts through. If you crank it with the choke pressed, you can smell it flooding so I think the fuel pump is working and fuel arriving at cylinders but that doesnt mean it is all fuel and not water.

 

[gss036]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

If you can smell gas, checked to see if you have spark at the spark plugs. You may not be getting spark. There should be methods in the FAQ post about engine not starting.

 

[Bob Kimber]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

Y Not,<br />I assume you are referring to your 90hp 3cyl motor, just a silly question, you did check your safety lanyard switch to see if it is in the run position? <br /><br />Bob

 

[y not]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

Yup checked all the above I got the double wammy.<br /><br />The fuel had water ( separation filter couldn't cope with the amount) and it appears that once the motor stops, it wont restart while in a low oil situation. toped up oil ran off a jumper tank and no probs VERY STRANGE

 

[gss036]

Re: 2003 merc saltwater died & wont restart

Not really strange, the filter is designed to stop the water from getting into your carbs,etc. The oil float was as it was designed. Isn't all these safeguards great protecting us while we have fun.;-}