Motor Won't Turn Over

[RickPT]

This motor has about 10 hours of run time on it.

Last time I used it was in saltwater and before storing it, I hooked it up to a hose and ran it for about 15 minutes.

Boat sat for about 2 years before I found the time to use it again. Before taking it to the lake, I dumped as much fuel out of the tank as I could and filled it completely with fresh gasoline. It still had some old gas in it, but only about 1/20th of the tank. I also added what I had left of a little bit of the fuel additive that the motor manual said to use. I hooked the motor up to a water hose and ran it for about 10 minutes. It didn’t sound great, but it ran.

Launched my boat, and it cranked over and roughly ran for about 2 minutes before dying. I cranked it again and it ran for about 10 seconds before dying. Cranked again and it ran for 5 seconds before dying. It eventually stopped cranking completely. Every 10 cranks or so it would try to turn over and go for a couple of seconds before dying.

I cleaned out the fuel filter and emptied the bulb, and was able to pump more fuel into the bulb through the hose, so I know that’s working. I checked the oil levels and it has oil. Visually looking at the motor, it looks brand new. Nothing is damaged.

I would like to learn how to work on this myself, but am stumped on what next steps to take to try to get it running again.

Do y’all have any advice for me?

Mercury Fourstroke 60 hp

 

[RickPT]

Here's what it sounds like when I try to turn it over.

 

[keithb7]

The engine is turning over. The flywheel and crank are turning. Its not seized. “Won’t turn over” generally means the engine is seized. Your engine is not seized. It just wont stay running. I assume this is a fuel injected 4 stroke?

 

[RickPT]

The engine is turning over. The flywheel and crank are turning. Its not seized. “Won’t turn over” generally means the engine is seized. Your engine is not seized. It just wont stay running. I assume this is a fuel injected 4 stroke?

Yes, I believe so.

I tinkered with it yesterday and tried a few things, but with no luck.

I opened the drain plug and drained the housing that holds the fuel pump and float valve. Some sludgy-looking gasoline came out.

After cranking it, it still wouldn’t pull more fuel into the fuel pump, so I opened it up. The float valve was stuck but came loose easily with a little pressure from my finger. After that, it moved freely.

I could see more sludge inside the housing, and it looked like some of the parts were a little rusted. Maybe there’s water in the gasoline?

I closed it back up, cranked it again, and saw fuel moving through the filter bulb and into the housing. I drained it again, and more sludge and gasoline came out. I repeated this process a few times until only clean fuel came out when I drained it.

It still wouldn't turn over, so I pulled all the spark plugs to check for moisture in the cylinders. The plugs were oily, but wiping them on a paper towel didn’t make the towel wet. I left the plugs off for about an hour to let the cylinders dry out, then put the plugs back on. It cranked, but still wouldn't turn over.

At this point, I can tell my (new) battery is losing charge because the cranks are getting weaker, and it only cranks 2-3 times before it stops.

I store my boat two hours away from home, so it’s a bit of a chore to go out and work on it, but I plan to make another trip tomorrow to see what I can figure out.

I’ll start by getting the battery charged. I’m not sure what to try next, but any advice on what I could do would be appreciated!

I’m considering taking it to a boat mechanic, but money’s tight after Christmas, so I’m trying to avoid that if possible.