888 mercruiser won't start...

[SeaVue]

Hi guys and girls and thank you for all the future help.

I have a 1975 Mercruiser 888 engine that was running nice after I tuned it up and everything. Well I had a small overheating issue and I decided to take a look at the exhaust manifolds. I cleaned them out and returned them on the boat. My mistake was that I did not put a new gasket in place and I used the old one.

Well what happened was the gasket leaked and water went into the exhaust line (did not know this at the time) and went back down through the exhaust manifolds and into the engine. After the boat ran for about twenty min it chocked and stopped working. When I got it home I checked everything including the spark plugs. Well four of them were wet!

I changed everything including new gaskets and plugs and cables. I changed the oil which had water in it ( a lot of milkshake crap)? Now when I try to turn on the engine all I hear is a click form the started and nothing else happens. The battery is new, points, cap and everything is good. I even took off the started and took it to AAP and had them check it and it was ok. I have no idea what is going on. ANY help would be great. Thank you very much and feel free to ask any questions.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Just in case it helps:

1975 Sea Ray SRV 220

Engine Model: 888
Engine Serial 338258

Stern-Drive: 888
Stern Drive Serial 3344073

 

[rebars1]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

See if you can turn the engine manually with a socket and breaker bar, or take the plugs out and try to turn it over. It might be hydrolocked. If it was in salt water it might be too late...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Slave solenoid is bad, try jumping from the yel/red wire on the main solenoid to see it the starter turns the motor. if it dose the slave might be bad.Also check the main battery cable ends both pos. and neg.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

See if you can turn the engine manually with a socket and breaker bar, or take the plugs out and try to turn it over. It might be hydrolocked. If it was in salt water it might be too late...

I took out the spark plugs and tried to turn the engine on. Nothing. A click from the starter and nothing else.

How do I turn the engine manually?

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I would put a socket and breaker bar on the bolt on the front of the crank shaft. If if moves a little but stops take the plugs out and spray oil into the holes. then turn it clock wise ( from the front) till you clear out the water. Then check for blown head gaskets.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

On the front of the engine you either have a big pulley, or a harmonic balancer. In the center of that there is a bolt. Use a socket and ratchet (or breaker bar) and turn it...that will turn the crank.

 

[rebars1]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

If you are able rotate the engine manually, then do what BtDcotur sadi and jump the slave solinoid. Especially check the battery cables, they can get corroded internally and not transmit enough electricity (happened to me!)

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I checked the slave solenoid using DON S?s tips in the Adult section and they seem fine. I also changed the slave solenoid out with another one that I have and it does the same thing. So I think the slave solenoid is ok.

ErieRon, I do have a big pulley in the front of the engine with a bolt in the middle of it. Now, when I try to rotate the crankshaft with a breaker bar ?do I leave the spark plugs in or take them out?? Also, it rotates clockwise?

Thank you for all of your help guys.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I would put a socket and breaker bar on the bolt on the front of the crank shaft. If if moves a little but stops take the plugs out and spray oil into the holes. then turn it clock wise ( from the front) till you clear out the water. Then check for blown head gaskets.

Spray oil in the spark plug holes? Is WD40 good? Thank you.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I'd try it with the plugs in first, then if it won't turn, take them out and try it. You will want to turn it clockwise as viewed from the front of the engine.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

O.K thank you. Ill go give it a try right now, i still have a few minutes of daylight. Do you know the answer for the oil part above. Spray oil in the spark plug holes?

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I've heard both oil and/or WD-40. The assumption is that the cylinder walls have begun to rust and the pistons are sticking. It just acts like a lubricant to help it break loose. I think a step at a time is wise. See if it will turn manually first and then post back.

 

[rebars1]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

You wrote that you used DonS method to check/jump the solinoid and it was fine. Does that mean you got the engine to crank with the jumper wire? By the way do you have a Ford 302 engine?

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I've heard both oil and/or WD-40. The assumption is that the cylinder walls have begun to rust and the pistons are sticking. It just acts like a lubricant to help it break loose. I think a step at a time is wise. See if it will turn manually first and then post back.

O.K. I tried turning it manually and it worked but it was VERY hard to turn it. I mean i basically had to push for dear life. It rotated when i used great force. I did this a couple of times and tried turning on the engine but same response (just a click from the starter). I don't know how easy it's supposed to rotate. I tried it with the plugs out since it was getting dark and they were already out. I did not try putting some oil in the spark plug holes.


Rebars1, i did not jump the solenoid, but instead i just followed the instructions on this link http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035.
Basically i used a meter to test if i was getting power to the starter and the solenoid. I did not crank the engine with the jumper wire. Am i supposed to do that? If yes how, please? Oh and yes its a FORD 302.

I don't know what to do next. Any help would be greatly appreciated guys. Thank you.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

My experience is that it does require some force to turn an engine manually. The factor to consider is what size tool you are using. A short ratchet would be very difficult, while a long breaker bar would make the task much easier. Leverage, eh. I have a 4 cyl, but it's a 3.7L (224 CID). I use a 20" breaker bar and while it's not easy to turn, I wouldn't describe it as being as difficult as you did.

At this point, I would spray some oil in the cylinders and let it sit...then try it again...manually. Make sure all of the plugs are out. Hopefully the water intrusion only slightly rusted things up and you will be able to free it up by doing this...be patient and keep working it. Try and forget about the starting problem for now, because if you can't turn your engine manually it's kind of a non-issue (but, see the quote at bottom from Don S. for later).

What you are trying to determine is if you just have a little rust problem, or there is internal damage from the water and heat. In my opinion, if the engine doesn't free up to the point where you can turn it manually, it's time to take it apart, or to a certified marine mechanic.

Remember, be patient with the process. Give the oil a chance to work and keep working it. A little rust can really interfere with tight tolerances, and take a while to free up.

Also, don't assume your battery is OK...have it checked...you would be surprised at how critical it can be, as well as clean, tight connections.

]QUOTE[/B] from Don's sticky: "If you are out and need to start the engine, you can disconnect the wires from terminals B and C (on solenoid) and hook them together and you will be able to bypass the slave solenoid all together and it should work. If not, due to long wire runs, just jump between terminals A and B to crank the engine over."

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Remember, be patient with the process. Give the oil a chance to work and keep working it. A little rust can really interfere with tight tolerances, and take a while to free up.

UPDATE: Well i listen to your instructions and i put some oil into the spark plug holes. I let them sit for about one minute (patients was running out ) and then i started getting to work with the wrench. I kept trying to turn it and it would barely turn. After a good few tries it started to work easily. I guess the oil lubed up everything and made it easy to turn.

Now i can turn the engine manually. I did not try to start the motor since i am not sure if i should do something else before this? What do you guys suggest i do next? Try and start the motor? or something else? Obviously i have to put the plugs back in ( they are new). Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Well, that's great so far...good for you. I would leave the plugs out and turn it over several times with the starter and get it cranking strong. Obviously, it wont start, but it will get everything moving at "real speed" and tell you if you have a starter problem or not. Pay special attention to any odd noises when you do it, because you still don't know the full extent of the damage...if any.

If it seems to turn over strong, and nothing appears out of line, put the plugs back in and start her up.

Now, if it were me, and it starts and runs, I would bring it up to operating temp and do a full oil change, filter included. Next, new oil, filter and a compression test. This should tell you if the rust caused any serious problems. I don't think it would given what you have described, but a compression test is a great way do determine the overall health of your engine...worth the time and effort.

Once that's done...post the results.

Good luck, and glad your making progress.

BTW...patience usually lasts more than a minute...

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

BTW...patience usually lasts more than a minute...

Haha agreed.

I turned her over with the plugs out and it seems to work strong. I don't hear any odd noises or anything of that sort. I'm going to put the plugs back in now and see what happens. Ill post back with the updates. Thank you for the help.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Good news...I'll keep my fingers crossed.