Mercruiser 470 starting issue please help!

[Flyfish331]

Hey guys,
Bought a Searay with a 1984 Mercrusier 470 a few days ago. When I went to see the boat the seller cranked it over no problem and it idled fine before I told him to shut it off. I went to start it for the first time on the lake and just got a click. Tried a bunch of times. We were finally able to get it to try turning over by gently tapping on the solenoid with a rubber mallet. I got it home and pulled apart the solenoid and cleaned it out. Now the solenoid and starter work fine but the boat wont turn over. I pulled out the carb tonight and cleaned the hell out of it and put it back in. That did not fix anything. Then I pulled the plugs they were in really bad shape. they did have plenty of fuel on them though. I cleaned them and put them back in because auto parts store is closed. Still nothing. I pulled plug back out to check for spark and it was soaked in gas again. it definitely has spark.I will put new plugs in tomorrow. When I cranked it with plug out to check for spark it blew a ton of gas out. My theory right now is that when we were trying to crank it and the starter wasn't working we flooded the engine so bad that now that the solenoid is fixed it still wont start due to flooding. Does this sound like a reasonable theory? Any ideas and advise would be greatly appreciated. I don't understand how the seller could get it running no problem and now I can crank it till the battery dies and it doesn't even try to start.

 

[poconojoe]

This might sound simple or even dumb.....but how about the kill switch? You know, the one by the throttle with the lanyard that you're supposed to hook to yourself.

 

[Flyfish331]

As far as I know there is no kill switch. I don't see anything that looks like a kill switch.

 

[poconojoe]

Your shifter doesn't have a tether kill switch below the shift handle?

 

[poconojoe]

Something like this?
image on the left...
single_flush-panel_mount_control_11892.jpg__1000x750_q85_autocr op_replace_alpha-#fff_size_canvas_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg

 

[stonyloam]

An 84, probably no kill switch. when you try to start it, give it one full pump to set the choke, then about 1/3 throttle. Since it is a 470, check with the PO as to when the impeller was last changed, if more than 2 years, put in a new one.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Sounds reasonable to me that you flooded it, f you have spark and fuel. Operating a carburetor engine is different than the fuel injection that's in all new cars today.

Before you start a cold engine, you have to pump the throttle to set the choke when it's cold like Terry mentioned, which closes the choke. Then when it does start, don't let it go right into idle. Give it a little gas, maybe around 1200 RPM's so it can warm up for a few minutes. Then bring it into idle. You can't just start it and hammer it down with a cold engine and a carb.

When you do flood an engine, your best shot at getting it running while flooded is trying to start it with the shifter in wide open throttle, then back it off once it starts and clears.

 

[mr 88]

Electronic ignition or points ? If points its time to change them and condenser. Check gap and use dwell meter."Boat wont turn over" You mean the engine turns over but wont start ? Getting spark at the correct time with the points working in conjunction with the compression stroke vs getting spark at the plug are two different things as far as starting the motor goes.

 

[Flyfish331]

Yea I checked there is no kill switch. I have had a ton of outboards and this is my first inboard so its gonna take some getting used to. I have noticed that the boat will not try to start if the throttle is engaged at all., Meaning when I push throttle forward and turn key the starter doesn't even do anything. It will only try to turn over in neutral. The previous owner just put a new impeller in. There is paperwork showing this. I will check the points and put in new plugs tonight. Thanks for all the responses so far. -

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Yeah, it's called a neutral safety on the shifter itself. Keeps you from starting the boat in gear. There should either be a button you push in, or pull the entire shift handle out to you so you can rev the engine and keep it in neutral. If you can't figure it out for that shifter, take a picture of it and post it so we know what you have...

That definitely explains the tough starting...

 

[Flyfish331]

Got Her Going! So basically the issue was the safety on the shifter. I got home and changed the plugs. Went to give her a go and nothing still. Then I started messing with the shifter and discovered the button mentioned above. LOL always something simple. Atleast I have a clean carb and new plugs now. now it starts right up and runs smooth.
-Next question
When the boat is running with the muffs hooked up I notice two issues.
1- There is a barell looking thing down at the bottom right side of the engine. This is leaking water all over at the end of it which looks like a metal cap screwed on. It appears to be hooked to the cooling system. If no one knows what I am talking about I can post a pic later.
2-I have white smoke coming from the spark plugs. I didn't run it long enough to see if it subsides. What would cause this and how bad is it?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

The smoke could just be some condensation on the engine as it heats up....

no idea on the barrel thing.. may have to take a pic of it..

glad you got her going

 

[nola mike]

Barrel thing sounds like your heat exchanger. Definitely need to make sure that that's in good shape before running.

 

[nola mike]

Barrel thing sounds like your heat exchanger. Definitely need to make sure that that's in good shape before running.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Barrel thing sounds like your heat exchanger. Definitely need to make sure that that's in good shape before running.

good job... of coarse it is :facepalm:

 

[Flyfish331]

Heat exchanger it is. So looks like its pouring out the end. from what I see it seems like there is probably just a gasket on the cap that's needs to be replaced and seems simple. am I right on that? any other opinions on smoke from plugs? if its just condensation that would be great. Thanks guys.

 

[Flyfish331]

No Title

 

[stonyloam]

Eric how could you not know that LOL! Yeah sounds like the end caps on the exchanger are leaking. No big deal. Try tightening them a little, if that does not work you may need new gaskets or the caps are bent a little and need to be flattened. Here is the parts diagram https://www.mercruiserparts.com/Sho...64.png&inbr=908&bnbr=120&bdesc=HEAT+EXCHANGER Welcome to the 470 Club!

 

[Flyfish331]

Sweet thanks! How boat those plugs? Engine gonna blow up or what?

 

[stonyloam]

White smoke from the plugs? That's a new one for me, might just be some oil on the head of plug boots. Keep an eye on it, and the temperature gauge. Don't let it overheat.