Help- Brand new to boats. 1975 Sea Ray SRV 200 w/ 188 hp Mercruiser engine

[icramer1]

Hello all,

I am completely new to the boating world. I just got a boat from my uncle that needs some work. 1975 Sea Ray SRV 200 with 188 hp Mercruiser engine

The engine ran fine before he gave it to me. He replaced fuel filter, some wires, put in a new battery, and gave it an oil change. However, now it doesn't start. When we turned the key, it just clicked. I have read and saw that his may be a starter/solenoid issue. How could I be sure (how can I test different items)? Also, how do I know what starter and solenoid part I need for such an old engine. I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone have a DIY guide for replacing some parts on the engine?

I will post a photo later of some electrical stuff as well. There is a panel by the wheel that he redid. I am not sure what each switch does.

This boat will be a project so any helpful advice as I go forward would be great. I have no idea where to find Sea Ray information on a 1975 (I have searched internet), and more about the 188 hp Mercruiser Engine.

Before boat is ready to go out on the water...how can I test the engine and how it runs? Sorry, I am such a noobie on this. I am not sure if it is like a car or do I need to have it in water for it to function correctly.

Thanks!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Is this the fresh water cooled inline 4 cylinder, a engine serial number would be usefull

 

[RCAnderson]

First, are the batteries charged ? If yes, check your electrical connections at the battery, the starter, and the solenoid. By check, I mean take the connections off, polish them up with sandpaper or a file or whatever, then put them back on.I am guessing this is a Mercruiser 888 package, which is basically a Ford 302 with some marine stuff bolted on. There is a possibility you are hydro-locked, so it might not be a bad idea to pull the spark plugs before you try my next suggestion. If you have good battery charge, you can jump from the battery in terminal on the solenoid directly to the starter to rule out the solenoid. If it cranks, it is the solenoid, if not, it's the starter.

 

[icramer1]

So if I pull the spark plugs....what am I looking for? Water in the chambers?

 

[RCAnderson]

If you pull the plugs and crank the engine, and water comes out the holes, you have more serious problems. It's more of a 'just in case' thing, so you don't bend a connecting rod while you figure out why the engine is not cranking.

 

[johnkom]

No Title

I have a '76 SRV200 with the 233HP Ford engine. My son restored the hull and engine and I'm now doing the interior and cosmetics. It is one hell of a solid boat. Well worth the effort to keep it in ship shape.

JK

 

[nola mike]

Check out the Adults Only section at the top of the forums. Plenty of good reading, including troubleshooting your starting system.

 

[redneck joe]

welcome to the forum.


by clicking is is one click then nothing or click click click...

 

[poconojoe]

+1 on checking the batteries and ALL connections. It's just like a car....if you're getting the click sound but no cranking then it's probably a bad battery or corroded connections. Even if the connections look good on the outside it's best to (one by one, not to mix them up) disconnect everything you can get to and clean them up real good and shiny. You would be suprised how this can make a difference, especially on a boat.

As far as starting the boat out of the water...If it's raw water cooled...which it probably is....you have to run it on a set of muffs attached to a garden hose. You can't run it without water or you will cause serious problems. Water needs to be flowing into the outdrive , through the engine and back out of the outdrive. You will see it spilling out the back. Don't rev the engine too high and trim the drive down as much as you can without it hitting the ground.

Do you know when the impeller was changed last? It's in the outdrive and is what pushes the water up to the engine. It's made of rubber and can wear out and needs to be changed every few years or so. If it's been sitting for a while or you don't know when it was changed last, I would change it right of way. Not expensive, yet very important.

Oh, welcome to boating!
Your best to read-read-read through all these forums. So much info here. And don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand something.

 

[redneck joe]

muff can be had at wally world if you need to use today.

 

[philipp10]

Hold on here. Start with the simple, then work toward the more un-likely and complex. A click indicates either a dead battery or bad connection between the starter and the battery. Work on those areas first. If not working still, you can jump across the solenoid to see if the starter will crank. Don't jump to all kinds of conclusions about hydrolock etc till the easy stuff has not worked.