Mercury xr2 not turning over

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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I have a 1986 mercury xr2 150hp. Engine turns over for about 2or3 seconds fine, then drags like the battery is dead. Cable are both tight. Battery is reading 12.5 volt on multimeter. Motor has brand new solenoid. I don't think the starter is bad. Any help is appreciated.
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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Check the battery cables, their entire length, with your fingers. Look for corrosion under the insulation.
 

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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I checked the cable. They both looked okay. I put battery charger on for a few minutes and it tried to crank. I let it charg overnite. It started up and I ran it in barrell for about 15 minutes. I cut it off and tried to restart it after about 30 minutes and it dragged trying to start again. Battery is showing 12.5 volts on multimeter. Is that strong enough to start 150hp xr2? Battery is 24dc everstart from Walmart. It is about 4 or 5 years old if that helps.
 

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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As far as i know. I haven't checked it but I will. I've ran it on the lake for a short distance and it ran good. I haven't seen it leaking any oil from lower unit.
The last time I put in the water was about 2 weeks ago. I have had the starting problems only about the last couple of days.
 

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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10-4. I'll try that. I'll update with my fnding. Thanks
Checked voltage at starter as you suggested, only showing 9.5 volts and dropping when attempting to start. Put charger on battery for 30 minutes, motor turned right over. I'm pretty sure battery is not holding charge. Checked voltage in each cell with multimeter, most cells were around 1.8 volts. I'm going to change batteries and see what happens. Will update later. Thanks for everyone's help
 

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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Checked voltage at starter as you suggested, only showing 9.5 volts and dropping when attempting to start. Put charger on battery for 30 minutes, motor turned right over. I'm pretty sure battery is not holding charge. Checked voltage in each cell with multimeter, most cells were around 1.8 volts. I'm going to change batteries and see what happens. Will update later. Thanks for everyone's help
Ok; changed batteries and motor ran fine.. got that fixed now I have a new problem. When I went out to take motor out of barrell I noticed some oil on top of water. I took the motor out of the barrell and oil came out of the propeller where it mount to lower unit. The oil was black. It didn't look like water was in it. I don't know where oil is coming from. I don't want to run my motor anymore until I get this fixed. Propeller is turning fine by hand. Any help would be appreciate. Oh I forgot to mention motor was in neutral the entire time in the barrel. Thanks
 

Chris1956

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Your motor runs on a gasoline-oil mix. Some of the 2 cycle oil doesn't always burn. If you run the motor in a barrel, the water becomes an oily mess.
 

mike_i

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Jun 28, 2017
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Yup, what he said. If you haven't changed the lower gearcase oil lately do it to make sure there's no leak.

Your motor runs on a gasoline-oil mix. Some of the 2 cycle oil doesn't always burn. If you run the motor in a barrel, the water becomes an oily mess.
 

frankie60

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Aug 9, 2023
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Yup, what he said. If you haven't changed the lower gearcase oil lately do it to make sure there's no leak.
Changed lower unit gear oil yesterday. Haven't started motor yet. Don't see no gear oil leaking out. Do you think it would be okay to start up with the muffs on? Thanks
 

Chris1956

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Sure, start it on a flusher. Keep the engine speed to idle. After running it, smell any oil that you see. If it smells like gasoline or oil, it is fuel. If it stinks like rotten eggs, it is gear oil, and you likely have a leak.

Mercs often leak at the waterpump base seal to the driveshaft. That is easily replaceable, with std tools. I would check that out first.
 

mike_i

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How did the oil look? Was it oil color and hopefully not milk chocolate color. If it looked normal you are probably good to go.

Changed lower unit gear oil yesterday. Haven't started motor yet. Don't see no gear oil leaking out. Do you think it would be okay to start up with the muffs on? Thanks
 
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