Outboard motor starter stops cranking?

[Kranjack20]

Hey guys ever since I got this boat I’ve been having problems with the outboard. It’s a 1980s 6 cylinder Mariner 90hp. First day I got it I took it to the lake and it took about a minute of cranking before it started and then once it started it idled good and ran good too. We then anchored the boat and went swimming. About a half hour later I tried starting the boat and it wouldn’t start at all so we had a buddy tow us back. When I first got it the seller mentioned I should clean the carbs and so I did after that lake day. I cleaned all 3 of them and put a new fuel filter in because the old one was full of gunk. Put new spark plugs in just for fun and compression is 125-130 on all cylinders. When I try to start it the starter cranks for a few seconds and then cuts out. You can watch with the video I put here. So then I let it sit for a minute and then try again and it’ll crank for maybe 5 seconds and then cut out again it’ll just stop cranking by it’s self even though I still have the key turned. Battery is fully charged too. Smoke comes out of the exhaust when it cranks as well. I’m stumped on what’s wrong maybe seems like the starters going bad? Also after doing that a puddle of fuel forms at the bottom of the cowling thing. Also have a video for that. Any help is very appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

Those old motors can have corrosion on the battery cables in the connections or in middle or anywhere in between, or wiring pins. Depending on the year of your motor, the quick connect plug holds the battery cables. They often build up corrosion.

Give your battery cables the finger to feel for bulges. Bulges are corrosion.

 

[Chris1956]

The battery cables in my '77 IL6 rotted out until it was a couple of copper stands. So the engine had to start in 3 cranks, or the battery ran down..... is that it?

 

[Kranjack20]

The battery cables in my '77 IL6 rotted out until it was a couple of copper stands. So the engine had to start in 3 cranks, or the battery ran down..... is that it?

I’ll have to check the cables. The connections to the battery side are spotless tho. Did u watch the video on what happens when I crank?

 

[racerone]

Charge the battery.----Have battery load tested.-----Pull starter apart for inspection.------Hopefully you installed a new water pump impeller .-----Need a much better video of that leak !!!

 

[Kranjack20]

Charge the battery.----Have battery load tested.-----Pull starter apart for inspection.------Hopefully you installed a new water pump impeller .-----Need a much better video of that leak !!!

I took the starter off I didn’t see anything wrong with it but when I ran it on the lake it pissed water good so why you say to replace the impeller? And ok.

 

[brodmann]

My motor does that too. When the motor fires it spins faster than the starter spins the motor, so it drives the starter gear back down. You just let go of the key and turn it again. Is that puddle water or gas? If it's gas, you probably have a stuck float in one of the carburetors. Take the breather off so you can see the carburetors and pump the primer bulb and see if gas comes out of the front "mouth" of any of the carburetors. If not, you've probably got a water leak somewhere. Try turning the hose off and see if the leak stops. What do the spark plugs look like?

 

[Kranjack20]

Charge the battery.----Have battery load tested.-----Pull starter apart for inspection.------Hopefully you installed a new water pump impeller .-----Need a much better video of that leak !!!

I took the starter off I didn’t see anything wrong with it but when I ran it on the lake it pissed water good so why you say to replace the impeller?

My motor does that too. When the motor fires it spins faster than the starter spins the motor, so it drives the starter gear back down. You just let go of the key and turn it again. Is that puddle water or gas? If it's gas, you probably have a stuck float in one of the carburetors. Take the breather off so you can see the carburetors and pump the primer bulb and see if gas comes out of the front "mouth" of any of the carburetors. If not, you've probably got a water leak somewhere. Try turning the hose off and see if the leak stops. What do the spark plugs look like?

I just completely disassembled and cleaned the carbs the other day. The puddle is gas. When I let go of the key and turn it again it’ll do it right away unless I give it a break then it’ll start cranking again after

 

[Dukedog]

a weak battery and/or a weak bendix will do that also...

 

[damonharris]

Starter solenoid is on its way out. My 2+2 115 was dropping out during starting, batteries were fine, cables new and all earths clean. I ignored it until it gave up completely. Cheap to replace.

 

[Kranjack20]

Starter solenoid is on its way out. My 2+2 115 was dropping out during starting, batteries were fine, cables new and all earths clean. I ignored it until it gave up completely. Cheap to replace.

That’s why it quits cranking after a few seconds?

 

[damonharris]

That’s why it quits cranking after a few seconds?

Mine would not stay energised while cranking and the gear would not stay out. Easy to check, bridge the two large brass terminals on the starter solenoid together with something large like a shifter and test it. Carefully it will spark.