77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

[SleekWolf]

Just got this boat. Been trying to get the motor to fire up after rewiring the engine harness. The wires were so corroded I know he was lieing about it running. Just put gas to it today and no start. I noticed the cowl to engine ground strap has been cut off. Would this cause no spark? I haven't really had a chance to test anything else yet. Anyone's help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[swamp-fox]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Is the starter engauging? Make sure that one is grounded, black wire to cowl support...Which one there are a couple of ground straps...

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Yes, I got it cranking good and strong. But It won't even cough. It's the strap on the back side. It's too short to try to ground it to the motor and the end that bolts to the motor is gone. Thanks for the reply!

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Couple other notes... I did pump the bulb and heard/felt the gas rush into the fuel pump. The electric choke is not engaging with the button, but it engages if I jump it to 12v. I manually choked it while cranking. Also, I do have power to the white and red leads on the switchbox with key in run position. I used a test light so I don't know if they have full 12v, but there is power to them.

 

[swamp-fox]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

I don't think the strap is the problem..Sound like some other issues..that troubleshooting is a little over me. Get a book on that motor it will tell you exactly what to check in order to spend less money and find it fast.

 

[Gomer50]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Put a timing light on it and see if you have spark.If you got spark spray some fuel mix 50:1 in the spark plug holes reinstall plugs and see if she will atleast cough.

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Thanks Gomer! Why didn't I think of that? lol I don't have a timing light, but I will try spraying some fuel in the cylinders and see what happens.

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

WOOHOO! I got spark. I didn't spray any fuel in the cylinders yet, but I tested the plug wires. Good strong blue spark 3/8" from ground. So I guess next I'll check to see if the fuel pump is pumping. WHEW.. that's a $400 load off my shoulders (i.e. switchbox/trigger/etc).

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

OK, after more inspection I noticed the fuel inlet/filter housing was cracked and spraying fuel out when I pump the bulb. I TEMPORARILY fixed this with JB Weld. Got it back together and no leak. Pumped the bulb....Fuel squirts out of what appears to be a jet on the side of the top carb. Well... I cranked her over and she fired up beautifully... BUT...fuel continued to squirt out of this carb while she was running so I shut her down immediatley!! Anyone know what is causing this? bad float? needle? maybe??? she was running great til I shut her down though....

 

[Gomer50]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

That is a stuck inlet needle or a stuck or bad float.

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

That's what I figured...anyway to POSSIBLY remedy this without taking the carb off? I know I should, but I'm a little impatient at this point lol Seafoam to clear the gunk out maybe?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Remove the two small bolts on the carb cover and inspect the float and inlet neele and seat.

 

[SleekWolf]

Re: 77-78 Mercury 1150 cowl ground to engine ground, no start?

Ah. Thanks! I was thinking I had to pull the carb and tear it apart.. awesome You guys are a great help. Thanks!