battery size for Merc 140?

[jimmytee]

What size battery should start a 4 cyl Mercruiser 140? I have a dual purpose (deep cycle/starting)battery that has 550 CCA and the battery tests good yet the motor turns over very slow. I bought the boat late last season and it was always hard to start. Is that common with this engine? The engine was winterized. I did have a problem with water in the fuel even after Stabil but shold that make it turn over slow?

 

[Don S]

Re: battery size for Merc 140?

The battery is big enough. But loose, or corroded cables or cable ends (there is a Positive and Negative cable and they each have 2 ends), bad starter.<br />Have the starter tested, and check your cables. If it still is slow cranking, you could have engine or drive problems.<br />Water in the fuel won't make it crank hard, but it will make it hard to start and run bad.

 

[vipzach]

Re: battery size for Merc 140?

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> The battery is big enough. But loose, or corroded cables or cable ends (there is a Positive and Negative cable and they each have 2 ends), bad starter.<br />Have the starter tested, and check your cables. If it still is slow cranking, you could have engine or drive problems.<br />Water in the fuel won't make it crank hard, but it will make it hard to start and run bad.

My thoughts exactly, address your starting issue and then take care of the water issue. I would suggest a fuel/water seperator.