mercruiser 165 won't crank

michael s.

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
22
my mercruiser won't crank it ran fine last year when i put it away for winter .i am wanting to know if i can use starting fluid to get it to bust off or should i stay away from it? also can i use parts from a chevy 265 inline six like i have been told? if so then parts like plugs, wires and dist. cap could be bought at auto parts store correct? along with the coil if necessary. any ideas on where to start, to find out what is causing it not to crank?fuel?spark?
i assume it would be like any other engine check for fire first correct?
 

Blk-n-Blu

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
821
Re: mercruiser 165 won't crank

You might start with looking at the "Adults Only" thread at the top of this forum page where Don s has posted great diagnostics for just this such thing. Can the starting fluid!!!
 

natemoore

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
844
Re: mercruiser 165 won't crank

my mercruiser won't crank it ran fine last year when i put it away for winter .i am wanting to know if i can use starting fluid to get it to bust off or should i stay away from it? also can i use parts from a chevy 265 inline six like i have been told? if so then parts like plugs, wires and dist. cap could be bought at auto parts store correct? along with the coil if necessary. any ideas on where to start, to find out what is causing it not to crank?fuel?spark?
i assume it would be like any other engine check for fire first correct?

That's what I'd do. See if you're getting spark, then if not, check to make sure there's no corrosion in the wiring. I'm sometimes guilty of stampeding toward the most complicated solution when it turned out to be something really simple.
 

system-f

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
667
Re: mercruiser 165 won't crank

Stay away from starting fluid. This engine will usually fire right off even if 2 or 3 cylinders are dead.

I'm not sure about parts from a Chevy 265, but parts from a Chevy 250 sure thing except for the various parts that need to be USCG approved. I use regular plug wires and plugs, but distributor, cap, rotor...all mercruiser marine parts.

Also, the check the carb when you do get it running. If it is the 2bbl rochester...super easy to rebuild.
 

michael s.

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
22
Re: mercruiser 165 won't crank

ok now does any body know how to test the coil to see if it is any good ?
i know how to ohm the coils on my evinrude 9.5 to check but not on this coil
 

Blk-n-Blu

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
821
Re: mercruiser 165 won't crank

You havent loooked at the Sticky "Adults Only" thread have You ?
 
Top