Merc 90hp starter

[Steve-01]

Hi,<br /><br />I have a 1984 Merc 90hp outboard. After cranking the engine for about 5 to 10 seconds, the starter then only engages for a short time and then kicks out. I can hear the starter motor running but the gear disengages. Do I need to replace the starter or starter solenoid or both? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[12Footer]

Re: Merc 90hp starter

The worm gear on the starter is iether sticking or one or more of the teeth on the<br />flywheel are missing.<br />If the teeth are ok,look at the shaft the starter's gear is mounted on. It has grooves<br />in it that spiral up to the top of the shaft. The general failure of these on outboards is they are open to the elements,and get sticky. All you need is a can of WD40 or other light oil,and oil the shaft. work the gear up and down the worm gear by hand until it's operatiing freely.<br />If there are worn or missing teeth on the<br />flywheel, it can be removed and taken to the prop shop. They can build-up and restore the missing teeth,but it won't be cheap. A cheaper way out would be to find a used one.<br /> <br /><br />------------------<br />Sandbar? Sandbar? I don't see no stinking sanDBARRRrrrrr!!!

 

[Steve-01]

Re: Merc 90hp starter

Like minds think alike...I did notice that the starter drive was sticking up in the flywheel. I removed the starter and sure enough I could get the gear to stick in the up position by hand. So I took the WD40 can and washed the shaft and blew it out (couple times), reinstalled and ran it up in the drive way. It seems to be working fine. Im heading up to Mille Lac (Minnesota boy) tomorrow for a walleye weekend with the boys from work. It will get the acid test...I'll let you know how it works.<br /><br />I saw the sandbar but unfortunately the guy that had this boat before didnt see the rock reef....KA-POW .......@#$%$#$#@

 

[Steve-01]

Re: Merc 90hp starter

Hey 12Footer...after the trip to Mille Lac, the starter acted a lot better. I think part of the problem could be a low idle speed after warmup. It tends to kill when put in gear and needs a little coaxing from the throttle. The starter kicks out immediately when the engine fires (start or no start). I guess thats normal. I adjusted the idle mixture and ended up about 1-3/4 turns out on the needle valves. I did notice that I needed to turn the valves out about 3 to 4 turns to get it to load up, and in to about 1/4 turn to get it to starve. The manual says put them about 1/2 way in between. Thats quite a gap there. Im wondering if the needle valves may need cleaning. Is there another way to bump up the idle speed? I know this issue has been beaten to death here but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much for the worm gear advise!

 

[12Footer]

Re: Merc 90hp starter

It probably would be a good idea to put some fresh plugs in at this point.<br />It's been a while, but I think your idle adjustment is at the linkage just above the throttle plate. It has a lock nut on it,and goes directly to the throttle plate. I may be wrong here, so if you dont see this, just <br />look at the throttle plate. The adjustment will be the next adjustable point.<br /><br />As far as the idle mixture, yea, they can take alotta patience sometimes to zero-in,because there is a lag between the time you turn the screw,to the time the engine reacts to it. <br />You should adjust them BOTH very slowly, a 1/4 turn at a time, and wait for the engine to respond (sometimes, this takes15-20 seconds,espescially on motors smaller than yours).<br /><br />It is better to run them slightly rich, than slightly lean, as a lean condition on one carb and not the other can cause piston scuffing (on the dry cylinder).<br />So, error on the side of rich. You should also do unto one what you do to the other.<br />The motor will probably start to run better as you run it longer, and cause the need to RE-adjust idle and mixtures at a later time,due to fresher fuel and such.<br />But I'm glad you are back on the water.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Merc 90hp starter

Steve you are close on your idle mix.....90% of these motors run at 1 3/4....low voltage at the starter is prime reason bendix drive kicks out of the flywheel...weak battery? dirty loose connections?