Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

[Hamburgertrain]

It ran fine for about an hour and then it died out on the water. It started rough and died now it won't start. I changed the plugs, checked for spark, plenty of gas and ran out of ideas. I tested the motor this morning and was pumping water perfectly. Any suggestions?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

Need to know the year

 

[Hamburgertrain]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

1975 I believe. Thunderbolt ignition.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

Those driver thunderbolts are pretty trouble free, First disconnect the salmon and brown wires from the blue termial of the switchbox leave the blue wire hooked up. (this will disable the mercury switch and the boat wiring harness) YOU CAN'T SHUT THE ENGINE OFF with the key it must be choked off. If this does not correct the problem remove the dist. cap and clean it and the rotor with hot soapy water and a brush, then dry, ck the carbon in the cap and try the engine again.

 

[Hamburgertrain]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

I tried that to no avail. Now I am thinking I am not getting gas, the carb is buried under a lot of stuff. Any suggestions on troubleshooting the gas supply?

 

[diaric]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

try spraying some mixed gas or sea foam/deep creep in the carbs. if it fires then your onto something. if not check your spark. does the primer bulb pump up hard? does any fuel spill outta carbs when you do so?

 

[Hamburgertrain]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

Thanks that worked. What do you suppose the problem was? I just sprayed gas in the carbs and vroooom. Was there a vapor lock? How can I protect against that occurring again?

 

[diaric]

Re: Mercury 500 50hp 2 stroke not starting

got me. i expected it too start, run the gas and quit. signifying a fuel problem. lets hope it keeps running great