merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

[bigdawggie]

Hello

I have an older Merc 1500 outboard motor and the only way to start it is by using starting fluid after I get it started and run around the lake I turn it off and if I try to restart it I need to use the spray Is that normal?

thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

No Big, That is not normal. It is also not good to use ether on that motor.

Make sure the starter is spinning fast, and that you have 8+ volts on the switchbox, if you have the distributor ignition, while cranking. Another posibility is that the compression is low. Best check it out.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

thanks

I do have the electronic dist but where do I check for the 8+ volts? The starter is spinning pertty fast. could it be a fuel issue? also when priming with the bulb should I pump it until fuel spills out of the carbs? or is there a method to priming?

Thanks again

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

I have read on this board by knowledgeable others that the 150hp Merc is pretty cold blooded but I have to wonder if your choke is working properly.
Does it click when you push the choke button?You should hear it and if it does click does it actually cover the carburator throat to restrict the airflow while you are cranking it over to start it?
I wonder if it was always this way since you owned it or did it start suddenly?
It has been said that using ether is not good for the engine as it has no lubrication in it,they say a squirt of premixed fuel is the preferred method.
I hope you get it resolved,I cannot think of a better spot to ask for guidance than this forum,there are some very savvy guys here.Ron G

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

If it starts with ether it is a fuel delivery problem you should never use ether it removes the oil on the cylinders if you must use somthing to help start put a mix of gas and oil in a spray bottle and spray into carb. It sounds like you need to clean and rebuild carb.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

Big, Make sure the primer is well pumped. If you flood the carbs a bit, that's good.

You should have *VDC plus on the red and white wires of the switchbox, while cranking. The red is hot all the time, the white comes from the ignition switch.

BTW - Using ether to start the motor will mask a weak ignition, a slow truning starter and a faulty choke. If the motor only runs for a few seconds, you could have a fuel problem.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

thanks

onced I get the motor started it runs fine does anybody know the recommended rpm range of a warm engine out of the water at idle in neutral? maybe my idle is too low causing it to not have enough gas at startup dosen't make sense but just throwing ideas out.

Thanks Again

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

your saying out of water i hope your running on muffs and on muffs it wont warm up good because the water is so cold you should have in a tank your rpms should be around 700-750

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

Big, Your RPM on the muffs will be higher than in the water. It could be 1100RPM on the muffs.

Since it runs when you ether it, check compression and voltage on switchbox red and white wires. At cranking speed, voltage shouls be 8+ volts. Make sure grounds are good.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

Thanks All

I primed the bulb until it was hard hit the choke button and it started right up this time. I turned it off and on a few times and it worked like a charm. hopefully this solves the problem of it stalling at idle when I put it in gear.

at warm idle with the muffs on in neutral it idled at 1100RMP
when I dropped it into gear the rpm did not change

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

The best way to set the idle is when on the boat in the lake.

 

[rndn]

Re: merc 1500 outboard wont start without spray

Try to not use starting spray. The only lubrication your 2 stroke gets is from the oil mixed with the gas. Starting fluid has no lubrication and even a couple of turns on the motor with no lubrication will cause permanent damage. Get a spray bottle of pre-mixed gas and oil and use that. It would be nice if some company came up with starting spray made for 2 strokes, but until they do don't use it.