Tracker 120 Intermittent Won't Turn Over

[PistlePeat]

I posted this question on the merc forum, and somebody suggested I move it here. Any help would be appreciated...TIA<br /><br />________________________________________<br />We have a Tracker 120hp inline 4 that is about 3 years old, but only has 1 season on it. It has always started and run flawlessly and has been reliable. The other day we had been out for an hour or so, then stopped and anchored for a couple of hours. When we wanted to get going again, it wouldn't start.<br /><br />When you hit the key, it sounded like it turned over only once, then bound up. We tried it several times, all with the same sound. Then, I held the key on start and I heard it turn over once, then twice, then a third and so on and then after 5 seconds or so, the starter went to full speed and the engine started.<br /><br />When we got back to the dock, I attempted to start it again, and this time it started ok. I waited a few minutes and tried again and the same slow turn over occurred again, but after holding the key to on it eventually did start.<br /><br />Repeated attempts produced the same results - some times it fired right up, other times it wouldnt turn over. A week later I started it up a few times and each time it was ok.<br /><br />We haven't been out since then because we're afraid of getting stranded. The battery shows 12.7 volts and everything else seems to work fine. The power tilt runs fast like normal.<br /><br />My first thought was that it was overheated that first day, or there was a vapor lock or something. Or, naturally, the started was bad. Should we take it in and have it looked at? Or, just wait till it fails. If it is a defective starter, can that be checked even if it seems to vbe working ok at the time?<br /><br />________________________________________<br />The gas tank was indeed dosed 50:1 with 2 cycle oil. We ran a good 20 gallons out of the tank before the problem started.<br /><br />The battery is only 1 year old. It was kept charged all winter. As I said, the volts are good and the SpG checks out as well. I'm confident that the battery is good and the connections are too. The alternator is also putting out close to 14 volts, so the charging system looks good too.<br /><br />Maybe I should mention that the last time the motor was run just before the problem, we went thru some shallow water and had to raise the engine to get thru. There was normal water pressure on the gauge, but I admit that the "pee hole" had less than a normal stream. Could the engine have overheated? But if that was the case, wouldn't it have cooled down during the 2 hours that we had the engine off? Besides, the overheat warning buzzer never sounded.

 

[funpilot]

Re: Tracker 120 Intermittent Won't Turn Over

Don't neglect all the electrical connections, from the battery to the starter solenoid and starter, for security and cleanliness. I've had this problem on my Johnson, and tightening connections, replacing eye terminals, and cleaning terminals really helps get the current through. The fact that sometimes it starts spinning well tells me the contact is intermittent. If you still have the problem, have the starter tested.<br /><br />A compression test might tell you if you have done something to overheat your engine. Also, you can check your warning buzzer by gounding out your wire to the temperature switch in the cylinder head and turning the key to the on position. This won't check the temperature switch, but it will check the warning horn and circuit.