115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

[samm835]

I originally posted saying I thought it wasn't starting because the rectifier was bad. I found out that pretty much all that does is recharge the battery. So here are my symptoms. Motor does turn over easy, its getting fuel to the motor, but doesn't want to fire up. Its like trying to start a motor with fouled plugs....btw yes I changed those also. Any help would be appreciated, love to have it back up and running prior to this weekend.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

What do the plugs look like after you've been trying to start it? Are they wet?

Are you using the choke and placing the throttle at a slightly open position?

Have you checked the choke solenoid to see if it is delivering fuel to the base of the two intake manifolds?

Have you checked for spark?

If that all checks out, remove the attenuator cover (air box) and check for excessive amounts of fuel spitting from the carb throats when cranking, (this is not an indication of flooding by the way).

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Just realized you have two posts with basically the same problem. You should ask one of the Moderators to delete one of them so you don't get a bunch of confused info. Trouble shooting needs to stay on track for it to work.

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Yes I do have spark, with choke on and throttle a little forward it sounds like it bogging down a little. I am not sure what else to look at, the plugs if I remember correctly were dry. Maybe I will sink and and explain to my wife I need to buy a new one. Again any help would be appreciated.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

The bogging is likely due to a bad starter or a weak battery. When the throttle is opened the engine pulls in more air and therefore has higher compression. If the starter is bad or the battery is weak the engine may bog. If this is happening you may not be producing enough spark to fire the plugs. The engine requires a cranking speed of 250-300 RPM to start.

If your throttle is forward and choke is being used yet the plugs are dry after cranking then you obviously have a fuel delivery problem. The plugs would be wet if not. The engine does not pull much fuel at cranking speed so the choke is really an important player in starting these engines cold. Usually once they've been started they will start back up within a an hour or so without the choke due to residual fuel in the crankcase.

You need to check your squeeze bulb to make sure it is actually getting hard when you pump it. If that seems O.K. then check your fuel filter to make sure it is not cloged. Following that check the choke solenoid. To check that, remove the top fuel hose comming off the solenoid and place a clear plastic line on where that came off. Place the open end in a fuel proof container, pump the squeeze bulb until it's hard then push the test button on top of the solenoid. You should have fuel rushing out the open end of the tube. If not, remove the lower tube and squeeze the squeeze bulb and you should have fuel rushing out. If you do then replace the choke solenoid. If not, then you either have a plugged fuel line between the squeeze bulb and the carb's, or your fuel pump check valves have sucked through the ports and need to be replaced by rebuilding the fuel pump.

If you have fuel at the solenoid then you need to follow the upper fuel hose to the T and then down to each injector on the intake manifold. Check the injectors to make sure they are unobstructed.

Once you've done all that, let me know what the results are and we'll take it to the next step.

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Thanks for your help, it doesn't actually bog bog down, it just sounds a little different. I will go to the boat tonight to try and start and check the plugs again to see if they are wet or not. I do know the bulb stayed hard after all the cranking I was trying to do....I will have to check to see if it is a fuel delivery issue tonight. I was thinking last time I was out there I smelled fuel like it was flooding, but I can not be sure. I was thinking it was an electrical problem more than a fuel issue. After I check things out tonight I will let you know what I find out. I am somewhat handy....but is there a quick/easy to explain to me for me to check and make sure I am getting spark to all the right places? I don't have a meter right now, but is there a back woods way of checking that right now. I will go buy one this weekend...just wanted to know if there was a trick to find out in the meantime. Thanks for your help very much appreciated.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

You can stop by any Kragens/O'reily'sand pickup up a cheap spark tester for under 10.00. Unless you have a remote starter you'll need two people. One to crank the engine and one to watch the tester for spark.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

I would test starter voltage and current. If the voltage goes below 10.5 at the starter, or the current is higher than about 125 amps, you have a problem.

The Bosch starter is weird in that near end of life it doesn't really sound draggy, just draws a lot of current and turns slow.

Napa has a current tester, or clamp on ammeter that tests current just by holding it near the wire. There are other similar gauges.

hope it helps
John

 

[ian1739]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

you can pull the plug wire off cyl #1 spark plug, and plug into a spare plug. ground that spare plug to the engine and try cranking. you should be able to hear/see the snap of the spark from the front of the boat, so you can do this test by yourself.

Repeat process for each plug. If you get a hot spark outside the block, and assuming the plugs in your engine are ok, you should be allright. If the spark isn't really hot outside the engine it may have trouble bridging the gap under compression, so make sure you can hear the telltale "snap" really well.

Check for broken wires! There may be a mercury tilt kill switch that's gone off, or maybe a loose connection at the quick disconnect plug. Check 'em all.
Good luck

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

OK well I went to the docks yesterday after work. I did buy a tester.....but I didn't have anyone around me to help with checking a spark, so I will have to wait to find someone to go with me(nobody at docks either). I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fuel delivery problem, so I tried starting and still nothing a couple of times, I also tried minimal starting fluid to see if I could get anythings and still nothing. I only did that once, but then I checked the plugs and they were wet. So I am guessing since they were wet its not a fuel problem. It has to be an electrical problem somewhere, can someone tell me what to hold my tester to first to see if I am getting spark to what I need. Thanks for all the help.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

O.K. so now that we have fuel somewhat eliminated, the first and most obvious thing to check is the kill switch. There is supposed to be a lanyard with a clip on it that slides under a lift up type button switch. It is usually at the control or on the dash and should be red or if it's sun fadded may appear pink. Make sure the the clip is fully inserted under the switch. If so, the next check is at the switchbox. There you will find at least one (usually two joined together) black wire with a thin yellow stripe on it. Disconnect it from the switchbox and this will disable all the kill circuits including the mercury (meaning heavy metal not the brand name) tilt switch. If there is something in the kill circuit this will disconnect it and eliminate it from the problem.

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Thanks, I will go by either today at lunch or after work and pull the black with yellow wire off and try to start and let you know where I stand. Motors can be so frustrating when they don't run. I am by no means even close to a mechanic, but online diagnosing sure as hell makes it much better to take the pain out of the motor not running. Again thanks for all the help!

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Ok so I went to the boat with someone to help me. Here is what I found out, it seems I am not getting any power to my coils. I think they are my coils, these are the boxes that are on the other end of the spark plug wires. There is no power going to them. There is ground, and also there ground power to the green with white stripe. I tested it with a light tester, I know the other is better, but hey this is what I had, I am not sure what it is called, but there is board above the coils that has a bunch of wires connected to it, which is also has wires connected to the coils. There isn't any spark to those....I am sure I am not making any sense, but if by chance it makes some sense I would appreciate any help. Thanks

 

[j_martin]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Ok so I went to the boat with someone to help me. Here is what I found out, it seems I am not getting any power to my coils. I think they are my coils, these are the boxes that are on the other end of the spark plug wires. There is no power going to them. There is ground, and also there ground power to the green with white stripe. I tested it with a light tester, I know the other is better, but hey this is what I had, I am not sure what it is called, but there is board above the coils that has a bunch of wires connected to it, which is also has wires connected to the coils. There isn't any spark to those....I am sure I am not making any sense, but if by chance it makes some sense I would appreciate any help. Thanks

You need to get a maintenance manual and do some reading, or else take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Testing the thingies with the wrong whatchamacallits while you know nothing about what you are looking for just ain't going to get the job done.

hope it helps
John

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

Samm835, I have to agree with John. But, I think you're on to the problem and that box with all the wires comming out of it is your switch box. On that box you'll find that black wire with the yellow stripe. Take it off and see if you get spark. I'm gonna take a shot here and guess that you actually might have managed to get a test of some sort on your coils and the fact that you found nothing leads me to believe that the ignition is grounded out. That black/yellow wire is what normally does that and yes, it is supposed to. Oh and if it does start, you'll need to put that wire back on to stop it so get yourself a pair of well insulated needle nose plyers and a pair of rubber gloves. You can get hit pretty good working in that area when the engine is running. It won't kill you but it will definitely make you taste your fillings.

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

john I can appreciate your comment, but I know it doesn't sound/read like it but I am somewhat mechanical and I do have the manual. Not that I need to explain, but I will.... I had just got back from the boat...and hadn't had a chance to look through the manual for all the correct "terminology". Don't get me wrong, I do understand what you were trying to say, but at the same time, people who don't know what they are talking about when they are explaing there motor issues don't need to be told "get a manual", they are here for help. If they wanted to be told to get a manual and know your terms...hell they could pay a mechanic 95.00 per hour to have them say either get a manual and screw it up yourself or pay me. If I wanted to pay a mechanic I wouldn't be here. Thanks for all the help on here, sorry if I didn't provide the information needed correctly. PS john....if you don't like my posting or what I have posted, do me a favor and don't give your opinion again....its not helpful, being helpful would be letting me know what I should be looking for to resolve the issue. This board is great, but if your not going to help move to the next one.

 

[samm835]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

sschefer, is that black/yellow wire on my switch box that I should try taking off? If I do take it off, and it does start what does this tell me? That my switch box is bad? Again thanks for the help.

 

[Nautique93]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

That is the wire to take off, it kills the ignition- either by turning the key off, pulling the kill cord, or by the motor being trimmed to high thus activating the mercury switch to prevent you running it out of the water. If it runs with the wire disconnected, it means one of those switches is bad, and you will need to eliminate each one. As posted above if it does start, you will have to reconnect the wire in order for your key switch to turn the motor off. it does not mean your switchbox is bad

 

[sschefer]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

sschefer, is that black/yellow wire on my switch box that I should try taking off? If I do take it off, and it does start what does this tell me? That my switch box is bad? Again thanks for the help.

No it means that either the mercury switch is bad, your ignition switch is bad or your safety switch is bad. On some engines it can also mean that the alarm module is bad but I wouldn't worry about that if the alarm test sounds when you turn the key to on.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 115HP 1992 Mariner Wont start - does turn over

john I can appreciate your comment, but I know it doesn't sound/read like it but I am somewhat mechanical and I do have the manual. Not that I need to explain, but I will.... I had just got back from the boat...and hadn't had a chance to look through the manual for all the correct "terminology". Don't get me wrong, I do understand what you were trying to say, but at the same time, people who don't know what they are talking about when they are explaing there motor issues don't need to be told "get a manual", they are here for help. If they wanted to be told to get a manual and know your terms...hell they could pay a mechanic 95.00 per hour to have them say either get a manual and screw it up yourself or pay me. If I wanted to pay a mechanic I wouldn't be here. Thanks for all the help on here, sorry if I didn't provide the information needed correctly. PS john....if you don't like my posting or what I have posted, do me a favor and don't give your opinion again....its not helpful, being helpful would be letting me know what I should be looking for to resolve the issue. This board is great, but if your not going to help move to the next one.

I'm sorry sir, but by your continuing comments, you give the impression that you have not opened the manual.

I'm outa here
John