Starting up a 1998 Mercury 40HP that's been sitting for years

MGMorden

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2017
Messages
2
Ok - I'm trying to get my father's old boat running again. He hasn't cranked it in at least 4 years and it's starting to go downhill, so I figured I'd try to get it going again. Last time I tried to crank it (about 6 months ago) it would turn over fine but never would crank. I'm thinking it wasn't getting any fuel and needs a carb cleaning.

I've already changed the spark plugs and lower unit gear oil.

Aside from that though, is there anything specific I should be doing before cranking it up? It's 2 stroke with oil injection. The injection tank is full of 2-stroke oil but I'm guessing it's probably a good idea to drain and refill that old oil. Besides that is there any other cleaning/checks that should be done on the injection system? (I don't want to crank the motor only to have it blow up because it's not getting oil lol).

I will say that prior to this the motor was always reliable and never gave any trouble - he pretty much just stopped using it and time has taken it's toll.
 

DeepCMark58A

Commander
Joined
Aug 17, 2015
Messages
2,951
I would pull the plugs and shoot some fogging oil in each cylinder before you start cranking.
 
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