Can someone shed some light?

[Hukeedo]

I've created scattered threads on this so i figured i'd include this all in one.I have a 1972 merc 500EL 50 hp. When I put the boat in the water and try to start it, it just cranks but won't start. I use the warm up lever, does nothing. It's in neutral and i prime the bulb until it's firm. I crank again and nothing. I keep squeezing the heck out of the bulb, let it sit a mintue and it starts. Then i let it idle and pull the warm up lever down and put it in gear, throttle it and it does nothing and dies. Then I have to repeat this all again while I'm floating away from the dock. Then when it starts again, I have to keep squeezing the bulb then I catch it right and it takes off and runs great. Whenever i stop to fish, swim etc.. i have to go through all this all over again.I re-adjusted the cables, now when i put it in reverse, it revs real high with no gradual throttle build up, just high rev. But throttle in forward, nothing. When I get it to run (runs great too) I have to use the warmup lever as the throttle with the actual throttle lever in forward. Does anyone have an idea on this?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

I suggest you replace the whine in the title bar with a line such as "Merc 500 hard start, dies at idle."

Then I would entertain the notion that I should answer your questions.

my 02
John

 

[Hukeedo]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

Funny, the guys at the marina were more than receptive to the same question as the title. No need to be rude about it, it was an honest question not unlike many i've seen on here, but thanks anyways, a mechanic diagnosed my problem without any asking me to "re-title" the question. For a minute there I thought this was a place to get boating related help, not "how to ask a question properly 101".
Not being rude, just thought that was uncalled for.
Thank you

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

totally agreed, some people around here have the nerve. Act like they never had a question. Im sure somone with 1000+ post will reply with something like "should have read the thread rules" blah. Wish I could have helped, I would have responded first time.


so what was the fix?

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

Try reading this, its the procedure for getting a starting point, on an engine.
I assume it "used" to run good, and never went bang, or over heated, so I assume the engine is "good"
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=168855
Click on the link, and read the thread. Then if you need more info, post back. Sounds like to me, your carbs are not adjusted right. However, before you can properly adjust carbs, the motor needs to be synced too.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

Fuel pump, rebuild it, check valves are shot. Takes about 15 minutes.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

Have you tried the choke?

 

[Hukeedo]

Re: Can someone shed some light?

First I want to say thank you to everyone who replied with useful info and not rude comments to me. You have renewed my faith in this forum and site that there are decent people out there willing to help and not be a "Thread Cop".
I was told that it was the carbs, and that also my controls were in need of replacement. I was told the throttle cable had too much slack from use.
Ofcourse as we all know, boat repairs do cost a pretty penny, so I think i'll take all the advice you good people have given me and try the fix myself. I will also rebuild the fuel pump while i'm at it.The choke was working properly they said.
Thank you to everyone, I will post my results when I get it done and let you know the result. Like I said, once it gets going, it runs great. But, I would love to be able to just put it in the water, turn the key and go without everyone at the launch watching me fight it!