50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

[kcc1414]

I have a 1980 50 horse Merc that I'm having trouble starting. I just got this motor back from the shop a week ago where the mechanic replaced the stator, trigger, and pack. He said my compression was good at around 120.<br /><br />As soon as I got the boat home, I tried to start it with a hose attached and it took me about 15 minutes to get it started. Once cranked, it ran fine idling for about 10 minutes so I turned it off. <br /><br />Today I tried starting again, and it took about 5 minutes to start. This is all on the hose. I went to the lake and put the boat in the water today, and it wouldn't crank. I tried every 5 minutes or so for about 2 hours and it never cranked while in the water. If I tilted the motor out of the water, it would crank the first turn of the key. Please tell me what is going on. Thanks in advance

 

[Laddies]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

kcc, sounds like you may not understand the starting of a cold engine. Are you pumping the bulb up hard, advanceing the cold start, choking the engine? I would think with the amt. of money you just spent with a parts change they should at lest show you how to start the damn thing give them a call

 

[kcc1414]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Laddies, I have pumped the bulb and choked the engine. Not sure what you mean by advancing the cold start. I've read about giving it throttle while you crank, guess I just don't know how to do that. The only way I can find to give it throttle is to put into gear. Can you explain how to do that

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Does your helm control not have a fast idle lever on the side, in addition to the push button for the choke?

 

[kcc1414]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

It looks like it has a square button, but I can't get it to push in. Not sure if that's what you are talking about. It says throttle only. To choke it, I just push in the key while I turn the key.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

OK, the square button the the side should allow you to increase the rpm without shifting into gear. If you can get the button to push in, you'll see.<br /><br />Thats one thing you need, to help cold starts.

 

[Rovernaut]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Sounds like you have a 'Commander' controller.<br /> Depressing the square button will disengage the gear lever and allow the 'throttle only ' to engage.<br /> If it doesn't push in try moving the trottle lever slightly back and forth while trying to push it in.<br />Other wise you may have a problem in the actual control unit that is stopping the button depressing.

 

[kcc1414]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Ok, I tried moving the lever back and forth while pusing in the button, but it still wouldn't move. So I took the back cover off and found where the button should be pushing through. When I push the button in, it moves just a very little bit. Any ideas on how to get this unstuck or what I have to take apart to get this unstuck?<br /><br />I'm fairly new to this, but don't mind working on it since I'm not exactly ready to take it back to the shop. I'm not very happy with my mechanic.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Those boxes can be difficult to repair it sounds like a early commander, they were trouble and there are a couple of kits out to repair them, I agree with you the last repair, was done by a parts changer not a mechanic, look out for them and technicians. Flat rate on that box is one hour is tough to do, good luck. Bob

 

[kcc1414]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Is there a way to take the throttle lever off without going through the gears? If not, what do I need to take apart to get to where the button should push through. <br /><br />Thanks for all the replies so far. I'm starting to think this boat is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

I can only tell you that you will need a good manual, before you try to repair it I have been repairing outboards since 1960 and when I work on a commander box the first thing I do is get the manual out.

 

[kcc1414]

Re: 50 hp 1980 Merc starting prob

Well, I took everything apart and fixed the problem with the fast idle button. There was a metal shaving preventing the ball from popping out of the hole. I ran out of light to reassemble everything. It'll be two weeks before I can work on it again due to work so I don't know if I fixed the problem or not. My fast idle should work though. <br /><br />Are there any tricks to attaching my throttle and shift lever cables? <br /><br />Thanks again to everyone.