1974 Mercury 115 I6 not starting now? Ran perfect last time out.

[njrextreme]

I have had my boat out a couple times this year and it has ran great everytime. So I go to take it out again with a friend and decide to start it on the muffs in the driveway before we went. I primed the ball, choked it, and cranked away. No start. It ran perfect last time I had it out. It did not bog, started on a quick click of the key. It did not die out or make any noise. Now, all it will do is sound like it pops off quick and then the starter goes into a neutral. I pulled the cowl off and all I can notice wrong is some gas leaking out of the top of the center carb. Does it sound like a electrical prob with my key, or what else should I be looking for. I am pretty sure it is not compression. I have yet to check spark. I do want to clean the carbs and rebuild them if they need it. It is just weird how it ran perfect and then a week later it wont start. Any ideas???

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1974 Mercury 115 I6 not starting now? Ran perfect last time out.

Choke the crap out of it. Cold start lever all the way up, hold choke button and crank her until she starts. If that don't get it, do a spark test. Look for spark plug wires arcing to the block.

 

[njrextreme]

Re: 1974 Mercury 115 I6 not starting now? Ran perfect last time out.

Trust me, I have cranked the S**T out of it. I even had to put the batt. charger on it. I dont have that lever anymore because I used my newer 80's style control on it when I put this motor on my boat. I will check spark or for arcing next. Then I want to go thru the carbs. I also want to change the belt on it. Do I have to pull the fly wheel to change that belt? Also, because I dont have that lever, what did it do besides give it some throttle? Was it mechanical or was it somthing electronic that I need to hook a switch to? It was starting before without it. I have a N setting so I can give it gas without it in gear.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1974 Mercury 115 I6 not starting now? Ran perfect last time out.

The cold start lever simply advanced the throttle. If you do not have a cold start lever, it will be real hard to start. Use the N function to advance the throttle a 1/2" or so. Are the battery cables clean. She has to spin 300 RPM wile cranking, for it to choke up.

 

[njrextreme]

Re: 1974 Mercury 115 I6 not starting now? Ran perfect last time out.

I do put it in N and give it 1/4 to half throttle w/ the choke on and the primer ball prime. It was starting and running great the past three times it was out. The cables are fine. The batt. is a couple years old but still holds a good charge. I'll check it out wed. and report back. Thanks for your reply's.