Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

[Ophelia]

Greetings,<br /><br /> My sister and I, both first time boat owners, are trying to figure out<br />how our Mercury Model 3.5 (approx 1983) is supposed to operate. We have it<br />on a 17 foot Discoverer sailboat (sloop), and tryed but fail to launch it<br />this afternoon.<br /><br />Having never owned or operated a motor boat of any description, and not<br />having anyone nearby to provide instruction, we are trying to figure this<br />all out as we go. We have an instruction manual for the motor, but a lot of<br />it assumes you already know all of the basics -- which we do not. The only<br />thing we really cannot figure out is if, when moving forward, is the motor<br />supposed to be able to tilt? Or should it be locked? As the motor is turned<br />60 degrees in either direction, or turned 360 degress for reverse, it locks<br />on the tilt pin. But we're not certain as to whether or not the motor needs<br />to be locked in any way while moving forward.<br /><br />Also, we cannot seem to get the starter rope to budge when we pull it. What<br />could be causing this?<br /><br />Any guidance would be GREATLY appreciated. This has been very furstating,<br />and I think we'd all be much happier if we could just get it in the water.<br />Please reply via e-mail if possible, our address is ben@light-poet.com<br /><br />Thanks a million. <br /><br />-Benjamin and Anna

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

You say <br /><br />"Also, we cannot seem to get the starter rope to budge when we pull it. "<br /><br />That might say to me the motor is frozen and probably no good to use at this time. It may require it have all controls in the neutral or start position to be able to pull the rope. If it still will not budge it is probably locked up internally and in need of repair or replacement.<br /><br />It should have a simple latch to engage when raised and also will not need locking in while running position as the prop will push the motor in towards the boat.

 

[Ophelia]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

<B>"Also, we cannot seem to get the starter rope to budge when we pull it. "<br /><br />That might say to me the motor is frozen and probably no good to use at this time. It may require it have all controls in the neutral or start position to be able to pull the rope. If it still will not budge it is probably locked up internally and in need of repair or replacement.</B><br /><br />Uhoh, that doesn't sound good. Well, we'll work on that tomorrow. Okay, since the motor does not lock when it is in the forward position (this made sense to me, of course the prop would push it towards the boat), how does one pull the rope without the motor just coming forward with it? Turn it 60 degrees so it locks and then pull?<br /><br />Thanks a bunch!! <br /><br />-Benjamin & Anna

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

One hand on the motor housing and the other grips the rope. It should pull without much effort.

 

[Ophelia]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

Yepblaze says<br />"One hand on the motor housing and the other grips the rope. It should pull without much effort."<br /><br />Thanks a lot! Trying it out again in the AM. <br /><br />-Benjamin

 

[smalloutboardsarecool]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

don't be afraid to dose the engine with WD40 a whole can do not worry it wont blow up when the engine is started (dont spray on engine when it is running thought!!!, you should also but some wd40 in the cylinders (spark blug holes) then turn the engine over a couple of time (turning over means tryig to start the motor with no spark plugs in.) then pore an ounce of gasolin into each cylinder, this will help it get started, next put the spark plugs back in. and put the sark plug wires back on. try startng the engine if it starts for a second,and then stops try some more, after alot of pulls put some more gas into the cylanders and try again, if it does not work this time you have carb troubles.... to clean the carb out......

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

The first question is…..Did this motor sit for a long time before you or someone else used it? If it did, there is a good chance that it just froze up from sitting. That still is not good but it is much better than if was over heated. I would take the plugs out and fill the cylinders with penetrating oil, then re install the plugs and let it sit with the plugs facing up for a few days. Next remove the plugs and drain the oil, and try to pull. If that does not work add more oil to the cylinder and get a wooden dowel that fits through the spark plug hole and lightly tap on the piston while someone holds pressure on the pull rope..<br />This has worked many times for me! If this works, and I hope it does, get a manual and replace the water impeller (almost sure to be rotted) It is a very easy job and a must for an engine that has been sitting.

 

[grandx]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

Just a thought... this is likely a 2 cycle engine which requires "premixed" oil in the gas at a ratio of 50:1 (gasil). Reading your posts, I thought to myself... Did they run this engine without oil??? this is certain to "freeze" the motor and make the pull rope hard. I hope this is not the case, just thought I'd ask. I had a friend once take a brand new chainsaw and put straight gas in it, froze up in 15 minutes, he was able to get it working again.

 

[Ophelia]

Re: Mercury Outboard Motor for Dummies

Greetings,<br /><br />"Just a thought... this is likely a 2 cycle engine which requires "premixed" oil in the gas at a ratio of 50:1 (gasil). Reading your posts, I thought to myself... Did they run this engine without oil???"<br /><br />That's a negative. We mixed our gas and oil 50:1, but the rope just would not budge. We're going to get it back in the water in a few hours and give it another go. We didn't exactly follow every single instruction, because there was miscommunication between the four of us while launching the boat, and each one thought they knew what they were doing. Well, except for me. <br /><br />The previous owner, a retired Navy officer, claims that the motor was "just overhauled" when we purchased it about three weeks ago, and it has been sitting in our shed since then. If all else fails, we'll run it up to the local marina and have them take a look at it. Unfortunately, we're all pretty much clueless, and know more about sailing than motoring. Only bad thing is that we have to get it out of a cove and onto the bay, without any rigging, so we'll need this puppy to work. <br /><br />Thanks so much for all of the great replies, we ARE learning! <br /><br />-Benjamin and Anna