Engine troubles after winter - Practical Boating Forums, marine forums, sailing forums, boat repair forums, inland waterways forums

vee5 · #1 19-03-2012

Hi I've got a mariner 75hp outboard engine and went to pick it up yesterday from where it was stored. First froblem is that engine wouldn't raise (power tilt) and just made a click noise when trying. Eventually after reconnecting battery and playing with the isolator switch it worked... But intermittently. I know this sounds like a connection problem but the battery terminals actually seems very good. What else could be worth checking? And could it be a flat battery?

Secondly the oil tank has drained itself nearly completely so there's a leak which needs finding. This has happened while the engine has been in a lowered position if that is of any relevance.

Any help greatly appreciated as always, thanks!

Russ T Hinge · #2 19-03-2012

The clicking is the solenoid, due to low voltage it engages, not enough power so disengages...ad infinitum.
The engine should have been stored upright, refill the oil reservoir and remove any air, if there is a leak it will be evident.

vee5 · #3 19-03-2012

Thanks for that. So first problem is sorted. How do I remove air from the oil tank etc? Will clean it all up and investigate further

vee5 · #4 20-03-2012

Update:

I've tried using a new battery with full charge and the power tilt works but still intermittently. Also, the engine won't start it sounds like its struggling to turn the flywheel or something is seized (I'm sure it isn't, just how it sounds).

JPM · Tweet this post! #5 20-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by vee5

Update:

I've tried using a new battery with full charge and the power tilt works but still intermittently. Also, the engine won't start it sounds like its struggling to turn the flywheel or something is seized (I'm sure it isn't, just how it sounds).

I had a similar problem with my o/b that I rebuilt when trying to turn it over
I had to rebuild the starter motor , had to make some new bronze bushes,(old ones badly worn {eggy} ) ,the bushes that the armature spins in , not the brushes that run on the armature ,but that didn’t cure it . when I tried it with out the bendix on it spun like a good un , but when I fitted the bendix ,it struggled to turn the engine over more than once very slowly , and the live wire started to over heat , I cured it by cutting off the terminals and putting new ones on after stripping back the wire to some nice shiny wire , now it works perfik
The terminals looked ok but at closer inspection the wire was discoloured and obviously not allowing the starter motor to draw the power it needed

vee5 · #6 21-03-2012

Ahaa. On closer inspection the terminals are getting a bit warm even after just turning the key a couple of times. Will have to do as you suggested! I carried out this little job just last season. What's the best method to keep the terminals corrosion free then? Cover them in thick grease or something?