Starting Problem on Mercury Electric Start Engine

[buzzin hornet]

Can anyone shed any light on this one.

I have a circa 1996 60 HP Engine on electric start. Have been turning it over, over the winter period to ensure nothing seizes. It has been fully fogged etc etc and it has been dry stored in the garage.

I came to start it today and all i got was a whirring noise from the starter motor. It looks like the worm gear is turning in the wrong direction to allow it to be thrown into the flywheel.

hass anyone any ideas on what the problem could be?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Scotty

[National safety]

Is the battery connected the right way. Is it fully charged. Possibly the dog is sticking and not fully engaging. Check those pionts nd come back to me.

[National safety]

Also check for bad or dirty connections on the battery and the starter motor. If an isolator is fitted bypass to make it is not that causing the problem.

[buzzin hornet]

The battery looks suspect although it shows full charge on meter. Tilt/ trim is very sluggish which points again to the battery.

Will put another one on and let you know.

The joys of the new season

Cheers Buzzin

[spartacus]

Does sound like the battery. Is the battery servicable? Some are sealed units, but others allow you to check the electrolyte solution. They can be topped up with distilled water and then put the battery on a trickle charge. If you have a multimeter - check it after charging (leave for an hour or so), should be 12.7v or there-abouts.

[buzzin hornet]

What size battery would you guys recommend for this type of engine. Current battery has a 45AH rating.

Is bigger necessarily better?

Would be interested in some recommendations.

Cheers

Buzzin

[Nos4r2]

About twice that,simply because 85ah is a standard 'leisure' battery size. Even a Mini battery will start one though, so unless your battery has had it, it's not the problem.

[9D280]

I have halfords best budget mini battery on mine and never had a problem.

[uncle al]

I would check a lead/acid battery with a hydrometer , checking its specific gravity, just cos it has 12volts in it ,it dosent mean the the sg is what it should be , most service manuals have the sg info in as the numbers have gone out of my head at the time of writing, the problem seems battery (to small an amp hour)

[buzzin hornet]

Gents

It was the battery. To coin a phrase it was absolutely knackered. I replaced it with a similar sized calcium cell battery from Alpha Batteries in Rochdale. Very reasonable price and good honest service.

I have taken the precaution of replacing the battery connection terminals as well so as to give it the best chance possible.

Engine turned over no problem and fired first time. "Huge sigh of relief" and ultimately a cheap solution.

Thanks for the advice. It was very much appreciated

However it has raised another question. (Sorry folks) I would like to disconect the engine to do some hull maintainance with the engine off the boat. The throttle cables look easy to disconnect, but what about the electrics. I don't want to force anything hence the question. Can anyone give me some guidance?

Cheers Buzzin

[Tris]

should just unplug loom, follow 1 red 1 black and disconnect them, disconnect fuel line unbolt and get strong

[buzzin hornet]

Cheers Tris

worked a treat.

buzzin