Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

I don't know if i'd trust a merc on my boat trying to escape a tornado, boat and motor would probably be in the funnel when it fired up

That's be awful on your impeller, too.

 

[GWL]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

In a 20 year old car, I just put the key in, turn the key and hold it there, and it starts everytime warm or cold on.

On the 20 or so year old outboards I've seen, the guys trying to sell the boat to me brag about it starting on the 2nd crank. The key needs to be bumped just right with just the right amount of pressure, and if it doesn't start then the idle lever needs to be adjusted, etc. Is that normal, is there supposed to be a delicate and careful process of coaxing a motor to life? Or should it start up as easily and reliably as a car motor? I'm afraid of being left in the middle of a lake without being able to get back because I couldn't get the process just right.

These motors are quercky. None are reliable. Only God awful expenceive new motors run well. After that it is a pit you throw your money into. Something is wrong with motor every year. You have to be a marine mechanic to deal with outboard motors. Or you need deep pockets!

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

It's kind of funny to hear all these Johnson and Evinrude owners, many of whom are on here because their outboards keep on breaking down, calling Mercs unreliable. It's like the pot calling the kettle black!

I have owned and still own both Merc and OMC products. IMO, both brands are trouble prone and require a fair bit of knowledge to maintain and operate in the long term. Someone who is not mechanical had better develop a good relationship with a marine mechanic.

 

[rjezuit]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

As with any 2 cycle high revving engine running full out most of the time. Rick

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

It's kind of funny to hear all these Johnson and Evinrude owners, many of whom are on here because their outboards keep on breaking down, calling Mercs unreliable. It's like the pot calling the kettle black!

Eh. I wouldn't go that far. I've owned both OMC and Mercury engines and personally had much better experiences with my OMC's. I've posted maintenance issues and "how should I do this" questions but I've never experienced a true mechanical failure on one that I've owned.

We OMC folks post a lot - there are more of us. We enjoy our equipment. We like talking about how to keep it alive and we like sharing our knowledge with others.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Dumb newb question? Are outboards supposed to be tricky to start?

"I've never experienced a true mechanical failure on one that I've owned.

You must live a charmed life, Jeff. I'm on here because of the 30 hp Johnson (2000 model year) that I bought this year. It has caused a lot of grief. Even the senior mechanic at the Johnson dealership could not fix it and didn't want to see it back again. What has been apart on this motor and checked and double checked would make a very long list. So now I'm running it without a thermostat to prevent it from overheating - it runs fine like that. Talk about quirky! And how about those Ficht or Fitch motors that are the subject of thread after thread on this board?

Mercs that I still own include a '78 50 hp, a 2002 2.5 hp, and a 4.3 sterndrive. With the exception of the '78, which currently needs a new switch box, the Mercs have been great.