1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

[Pioter]

Hi Guys,

Im new here at iboats and I was looking over the threads and seen a lot of helpful advice from mechanics and other boaters. I have recently purchased a 18' aluminum boat with a 1969 80hp Mercury outboard on the back. I got it from a friends uncle and when he was starting it for me it started no problem. I took it out a few times and again, had no problems. Then it started giving me issues when starting, it would always start but id have to crank it over maybe 10 times before it finally started up. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on this. The starter is fine, it cranks it but it just doesn't seem to want to start. Once it gets going its fine, never cuts out or anything. This constant cranking has now killed my battery and I don't want to be out on the water the next time this happens to me. I know it's an old motor but it's my first boat and I've already had so much fun with it that I need to get this fixed.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Off the top of my head, maybe the plugs are fouled and feeding it new ones might be a quick fix. If that's indeed the case then it might be worthwhile to figure out why it's fouling plugs so quickly (maybe time for a carb cleaning?).

You'll get better results posting this in the Mercury outboard forum (that's if a moderator doesn't move it over there before you get the chance).

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

give a little of the warm up lever if cold all the way make sure u choke when cold

 

[Pioter]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Thanks guys. I do have the lever put up with choke but that doesn't seem to help. As for the plugs they all seem to be fine. To me it seems like its not getting the gas, I don't know if this could be a problem with the fuel pump or the hose, but that has no cracks or anything in it. I guess I'll have to go step by step check all the fuel lines, the carb, and the plugs. Anything in particular that I should know before I do that?

 

[ronjo84]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

My grandpa is giving me the same motor and said it had the same problem. The issue, he said, is that it is a faulty trigger. About $800 to fix. hope that helps.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

set all low speed needles out a 1/4 turn remember where they all were. if dont help well clean carb and check compression spark normal stuff

 

[Pioter]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

I tried what you said coolguy and in the drive way it started up no problem. I had to jump the battery and on the first turn of the key it reved up. I tried it 3 more times and it started on the first turn each time, I thought I was set, but boy was I wrong.

Took it out this weekend and once it was in the water tried to start it again, with the jumper, and it took forever to get going, but finally got it. Then I camped out and the next day tried to start it but it was a no go. We were able to get it started manually because by now the batter and the jumper were completely dead. I thought that after a 20 minute ride the day before the stator would charge it up a bit but of course it didnt. Then we stopped the boat and tried to get it going again manually, this time it would start and with the warm up leaver cranked it would be fine but then when we lowered the lever it just seemed to die out. We ended up getting towed to the launch and even a jump off another boat wouldnt turn anything.

I want to do a complete tune up to it, new plugs, dis. cap, etc. I was just wondering about the plugs, what plugs should I get? I read about NGKs and Champions. Would those work for me? Can I get them at a car parts store or do I need a Mercury licensed store? What should be the gab on the plugs?

If this doesn't fix some of the problems I guess Ill have to start looking at other things. I assume the next step after this would be to clean the carbs?

Also I'm going to get a charger for the battery and probably and extra one just in case.

Thanks for your insight guys....really appreciated!!!

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

yup sounds like u have a dirty carb. ok ya i dont believe moving the needles out would make it die when lever is in down position cause on my motor 50hp 1961 motor it would increase in idle when i open the needles up.

ok now lets trouble shoot some thing first. first off check compression in the motor cause this will make it so it will be hard to start cold warm its a breeze. if compression checks out on the motor go ahead check spark on all cylinders to see they give a nice blue pop so get a spark plug tester or take plugs out and ground the against the block to where u can see them too then get someone to turn the key or turn the key to on and get someone to pull the rope. make sure no fuel fumes

now u might wanna get some gear oil in the lower unit 85-95 weight gear oil ummm new gaskets on screws ya umm and might wanna put a new water impeller in if not done so in a while. its good maitenence.

if compression and spark check out then go on get a rebuild kit for the carbs then clean the carbs nice and good blow passages with compressed air too and after reinstall set low speed needles to where they were if u remember if not initial settings 1 1/2 turn out seat lightly.

when carbs reinstalled with in engine off put throttle from control box and make sure all carbs r opening to full length the butteryflys in back.

tell us how it goes now if spark dont check out then tell us ill post another message on what to do

plugs u can get at any auto store and not sure what plugs or the gap

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Try using this procedure. First however, make sure the plugs are "new", the distibutor caps is good, no cracks, clean the "button", check for cracked or broken plug leads, and check the wiring harness too. Might help to rebuild the carbs, and fuel pumps too, but you can try the link and sync first, to see if it helps.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=168855

 

[Pioter]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Thanks guys,

Im going to check the compression, change the plugs (as it turns out it needs no gap becuase there isn't any gap to set there), and clean out the carbs. I plan on doing it this Sat. and Ill let you know how it turns out.

The more I think about it the more I really do believe it is just dirty carbs. When I got the boat the guy said that the last real major maintainance was done back in 2000 so I think a good tune up will hopefully get my issues resolved.

Thanks again guys. Your help is very much appreciated.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

check spark too

 

[Pioter]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Ill definitely check the spark on the plugs and the compression. Just before I get going on this I had two more questions

1. When I pulled out the plugs, in the hole on the 1st plug (Plug #1 from the top) There was a little metal plate inside that hole. I believe its something to do with the fact that it is plug one, the first to fire. My question is, is that little metal plate supposed to be there?

2. The plugs seemed really dirty. They look relatively new and not burned or anything but they are covered in oil/grease on the tip that fires. Does this mean that I could be running the mix too rich with oil? Im using 50:1, should I maybe decrease the oil and go with something like 70:1? Or should I just use better octane? And if this is just the oil in chamber how can I clean it out without actually taking the engine apart? Would a regular engine cleaner that I pour unto the gas take work?

Sorry I guess thats more than one question, but your answers would really help me out...Thanks again!!!

 

[Pioter]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

Hi Guys,

I changed the plugs and charged up the battery and it was working. I took it out on the lake on sat. and it still has some hiccups but it does get going. I guess all it needed was some new plugs and a cleaning. Thanks for all your help....see you on the water.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1969 Mercury 80hp (Merc 800EL) starting problems

use 50:1