1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
15
Let me start with I have printed out and read the merc manual. I have read alot of the posts from the last few years to research my problem before I posted this message. A few months back I posted about distributor gear replacement. I ended up pulling my engine out and having it rebuilt profesionally (the whole deal from the bottom up.) I put the engine back in this week. I drained the gas replaced the cap, rotor, wires, plugs and points. (starter too) I set the dwell,timing and point gap. It wont start. It did start at first for a minute when we noticed a water leak between the elbow and the manifold. We resealed the gasket and retorqued the bolts. Every now and then it will start hard and run for maybe 4-5 seconds but it wont stay running. During cranking it's close to starting almostfiring but it doesn't quite catch. I've started from scratch 3-4 times now after the water elbow leak Kinda figured we fouled the plugs so we started over. Still not starting. it is an 1985 mercruiser 140 3.0l. New rebuild. What am i missing?
 

Topkick101

Recruit
Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
1
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Looks like i am in the same boat with you. I would check to see if you are getting spark. That is the same problem I am having. Do you have a parts manual. I am trying to find the part number for the coil.
 

P 0 P E Y E

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
441
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Started for a minute, then leaks at the riser and now no start.....hummmm

If the riser to manifold gasket leaks externally, it might leak internally as well.

Make sure the last spark plug is not wet. Is the water problem fixed?

How old is the riser and manifold? the exit holes for the water in the mixing elbow or riser get clogged with time.

Why did you have to rebuild the engine? was the failure found and solved or might you have bolted it back on the engine.

Fire order is 1 3 4 2 ( I think ) double check all the items you put on for proper function and installation. Don't assume anything.

Check spark, Fuel, distributer timing, firing order
 

P 0 P E Y E

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
441
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Forgot also to mention

Sometimes, the hydraulic lifters need to be primed with oil.

Remove the oil fill cap and observe the rocker arms to see if they are actually moving enough.
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Spray some berrymans or simular carb spray in the carb when trying to start. If this helps you have a fuel problem, if not spark issues. Is the booster wire from the starter to the coil (non dist side) working? It gives you 12v during cranking. Run a jumper from the + batt to the non dist. side of the coil, if it starts there is your problem. either replace the starter, the solenoid or PM me and I can give you directions on how to add a relay to fix this problem.
Costs about $15-$20 to fix. Cheaper than a starter or solenoid, if the starter is doing fine otherwise. Oh was the coil hooked up properly and not reversed?
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
15
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

It does have spark. I have replaced the starter. The starter is connected to the positive side of the coil. Yes the water problem is corrected. And the engine was rebuilt because the camshaft gear was stripped. If the condenser is bad would it still be getting spark?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,088
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Ayuh,....

It takes Fire,.. Fuel,... Compression,... All at the Right Time....

You're missing 1 of them,+ Only you can find it,....
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Do a compression test, bet you have the lifters adjusted wrong.
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
15
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Lifters are fine engine was rebuilt from the ground up by the local engine rebuilder..I think im gonna pull the carb and clean it up. Thats the only thing that wasn't rebuilt...
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
15
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Carb cleaned and rebuilt. Timing checked again....Still no start.....Im done trying I guess I gotta take it to a dealer.
 

87rocket455

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
41
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Spray some berrymans or simular carb spray in the carb when trying to start. If this helps you have a fuel problem, if not spark issues. Is the booster wire from the starter to the coil (non dist side) working? It gives you 12v during cranking. Run a jumper from the + batt to the non dist. side of the coil, if it starts there is your problem. either replace the starter, the solenoid or PM me and I can give you directions on how to add a relay to fix this problem.
Costs about $15-$20 to fix. Cheaper than a starter or solenoid, if the starter is doing fine otherwise. Oh was the coil hooked up properly and not reversed?

Any luck with the trying to start adding carb spray??? Did you check replace fuel filters? Sometimes they place a small filter in the carb right before the fuel inters the bowls were the hard line connects... check that one...
 

P 0 P E Y E

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
441
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Replaced the starter?...make sure it is the correct rotation...been there done that.

Double check the static distributor timing

Are the plug wires going in the right direction to cause the rotor to send spark to the 1343 cylinders? Double check by bumping the starter

Slow down and slowly trace and check all your steps to find out that one thing that his hiding from you.

Ignition spark. Do you have it and is it happening on no 1 Cylinder about 9 degrees before top dead center on the compression stroke?

When you turn the engine over does no.1 on cylinder have a intake, compression, Power and exhaust capability....meaning does it appear that the cam shaft is causing the intake and exhaust valves to behave properly. There is a remote possibility that the cam timing is wrong (very remote if you had a pro do it) but you should check.

How old is the gas?

As they said above...you need fuel, compression and spark, in the right order to run.

Triple check all the parts that you put in and have your dog help you. It works for me when I get stumped. I show that darn dog how to do it and I find my mistake.

Hang in there and keep your chin up. You are allmost there.
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
15
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

Finally......Its now running...The carb linkage was on wrong and holding the choke closed.....
 

cookhvacr

Recruit
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
1
Re: 1985 Mercruiser 140 No Start

hey just purchased a 1985 Sea Ray Seville Cuddy Cabin 5.6m, 3.0 omc merc crusier. 140 hp.

same motor as yours and the guy said he hasnt started it in 4 yrs? have not heard it run, but only paid 900 dollars for the whole boat motor,custom camper sleeper that attachs to cuddy at night,(have his reciepts for 780 for that camper /sleeper top) 140 merc i/o omc, with new interior within last 4yrs! i mean everything...floors, carpet,seats, all upolostery,windshield wiper motor,new factory horn, new stereo system(kenwood marine), Ez loader shorlander trailer with brakes, custom bimini top, custom storage top, new anchors, plently of high quality rope, 2 sets of skis(man and woman), 2 (300 dollar tubes) nice top of the line $500.00 depth finder(at least thats what the reciept shows? it's a Lowerance depth finder? are they the "good ones" or the "great ones"?, newer (2004) waterproof LED taillights, and about $15k in reciepts showing mechanical repairs since 1985?
it has been a 2 owner boat before me, and a lot of repairs at local marinas charging a lot of money for repairs! hell the only thing the guy didnt add in or give me was his fishing tackle! lol this is my "first real" boat! i think what i paid is worth it? opinions please?

i really hope all the maintence records and money spent in the last 4 to 10 yrs on major stuff means i dont have a lot to fix/repair? is a good thing?
i am very ignorant to boats and how to maintain them mechanically or cosmetically, but can do just about any car repair??? crazy huh? my brain just seems to lock up when i start hearing terms and words/phrases i'm not fimiliar with? the seller gave me every reciept from himself and the 2 other previous owners totalling almost $15k...i'm hoping like i said this is a good thing? problem is never heard it start, cause the seller said he winterized it the last time he used it in 2004, and yup, the records/reciepts verify this! I just am ignorant to boats and thought i got a good deal???? just do not know where to start to get this boat ready for the lake...properly, cause she looks beautiful,paint good, interior great etc, and trailer has minor rust and could use paint job! my goal is to just safely get this classic beauty ready for water! i turned so many heads just trailering it home today! this boat does not look 25 yrs . old!!! i just please need some advice on where to start with getting this boat "properly ready" for the water, without having to take it to a marina and get raped like the previous owners! the plus side is i do have every manual for maintence/service/repair to entire boat,motor,trailer, and throttle controls(installed in 2004)! so i should be able to make her safe for the wife and kiddos to enjoy this classic head turner this 2010 season!

The seller said just drain the oil, and replace oil filter, install new spark plugs,cap & rotor,drain and add new antifreeze, remove carb and rebuild with kit myself, or just give good "cleaning etc to carb", grease with grease gun all grease points on lower unit, drian oil from the lower unit, make sure grease in bearings on trailer, and put white grease in the center of the rollors on the trailer?, check for "good operation of trailer brakes etc"fluid, lines wheel cylinders etc?, and drain gas and put "fresh high octance gas in it?" and i should be ready for the water????? now me being ignorant about boats, and not wanting to take to marina or tear the boat up, is there any piticular things i need to do before i put the boat in the water??????? any help/answers would be so greatly appreciated! i do not want to take this to the marina and get raped, when i can read and write, also having every manual on the damn entire boat!
i have 4 kids and want to make sure we dont get stranded on a big lake like Dale Hollow or something...any help would be great folks! thanks for your advice in advance!
respectfully, Senior frog! (aka) wanna be skipper..lol :)
p.s. also i will be posting pics of boat soon! it 's raining were i live now..lol
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top