Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

[MercNdude]

Good to be back readin' and learnin' with you all. Emboldened by your issues and expert answers, I decided to pull my old Merc off of the Master Mech's bone heap and repair the water jacket seal he said was a lost cause - too much $$ to repair versus value of motor. I never saw a motor I didn't like. So I took on the job prepared to break some bolts. Not one broke! This is a pre-'79 motor too! It did start before I took on the job but wouldn't go beyond half speed w/o cutting out. So, now that I've put her back together, I can't get beyond a couple of pops and some exhaust. She almost started w/starter fluid but didn't get there and finally seemed to flood out.<br /><br />Any starting tips on a hesitent motor?<br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[2cycle]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

MercNdude,<br /><br />Hello, I just had my 1500 rebuilt and experienced similar initial difficulties in starting due to high compression. The battery will need a full charge from the charger to turn the motor over fast enough. These motors are also very cold-blooded so be sure that you prime the bulb hard and then press 4-5 more times to force fuel past the floats to "flood" the engine as in reality it is almost impossible to flood. Lastly, are you certain that you set the distributor pully belt orientation/timing correctly? The arrow on the pully should aline with the vertical dot(s) on the flywheel. You could be a tooth off and it will not start. Also, the starter fluid is bad because there is no lubrication. Clams Canino has posted an extensive link and sync for inline engines in another thread and it is very coherent if timing turns out to be an issue. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

I vote belt timing issues, too. Especially with the popping.<br /><br />If you put a timing lite on #1 and crank it over, you should get a reading with the throttle at the idle stop at somewhere between 0 deg and 6 deg BTDC, roughly. If you get a timing reading less than Zero (i.e., ATDC) you are definitely off at least 1 tooth on the belt timing. To advance you'd move the dist rotor one tooth clockwise in relation to the belt, to retard go CCW.<br /><br />BTW if you keep using starting fluid on your motor you'll be rebuilding it again very soon! <br /> <br />Use something like Seafoam or Deep Creep. which is mostly oil anyway, and will start an engine. Or just put some pre-mix in a spray bottle and fog into the carbs.<br /><br />Good Luck.........ed

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

Easiest way to set the belt? As you are turning clockwise the little "nib" on the bottom of the dist belt pulley outta align with the little nib on the block *just* as the motor approaches TDC (usually 3-4 degrees BTDC)<br /><br />You don't really think they had to use measuring stuff at the factory to do the basic assembly of the motors? They lined up the nibs and bolted it up. The measuring stuff came later in the final tuning process.<br /><br />-W

 

[MercNdude]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

I didn't mess w/timing or the flywheel at all. I don't think this is it. I'll check on your tips though. I think, since the battery did seem to be having a hard time turning her over, that the higher compression thought might be the issue. I used some fuel that's been in the tank for the whole summer too. I'll do a fresh charge and new fresh fuel and see if we don't get a better result.<br /><br />thanks!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

There is no way to take it apart without messing with the timing belt, or removing the flywheel for that matter.<br /><br />??<br /><br />-W

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

Clams, both you guys could be right.I agree a rebuild is a complete strip down and reassemble.<br />I think MercNdude only replaced the exhaust baffle on the side of the motor.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

In that case..... nothing changed. So he has no problem. <br /><br />-W (another case solved)

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

MercNdude,<br />Have you checked your plug wires?Backfire could mean wrong firing order.Backfire can also be H2O in fuel supply.<br /><br />DHP

 

[MercNdude]

Re: Merc 140 IL6 Rebuild Won't Start

Well gents, IT LIVES! I'm sorry to have confused some about the extent to which I went into the motor. I actually did the work that DHP mentioned. I'm not yet confident enough to go to the extent that Clams mentioned. Although, I take it that you all would have! I probably should have done the rest also. 2Cycle was on the money with this one. I had to get the battery supercharged and then I found that I had a feed hose to the carbs that wasn't allowing me to pre-moisten the bowls. I replaced the hose (which must have been the original, I swear - hard to get to!!) I really fed the carbs and cranked her over and VVRROOOM! The additional compression and new plugs has this baby purring like kitten. My thanks to you guys!!! None of your tips are wasted - I copy down them all and keep them just like an advanced manual.<br /><br />Cheers, MercNdude