1980's ish Mariner 200hp V6 resurrection - any ideas?

[Jonny2488]

Tried to get my (newly acquired) Mariner 200hp V6 (believed 1980's ish model) outboard going this evening, but without success.

It hasn't been used in the last 6 months and the guy I bought it from claims it was serviced at the end of last season but I'm dubious about that.

It turned over reluctantly and fired very very briefly before dying. Couldn't then get it started again. It sounds likes it's really struggling to turn over. I was running it from the car as current battery is "out of service". Engine was on and providing a pretty constant voltage so that's not the problem.

Any advice? Is there something I can do to free the whole system up and get the moving parts going? Will have a look at the spark plugs when I eventually work out how to get the cowling off....any clues on this? It's not exactly intuitive! Picture attached.

Thanks.

[ribsta]

Hi, I don't have much advise what you can do but wanted to let you know I had one of the engines and it was very temperamental with the amount of fuel you primed in for cold starting. Too much and it would never start. You had to wait 10 minutes or more before having another go. Good luck anyhow.

[A1an]

It would be easier if you asked for next weeks lottery numbers.

Im doing the same at the minute with an old Merc 80 from 1979.

I went through it methodically, first job was carbs off and rebuilt, new fuel pump, new water pump and new plugs, I checked all breathers and balancing pipes replacing the perished ones, I cleaned all connections on the ignition side and starter motor to make sure I was getting a proper connection, lubed up and freed off all levers and linkages but fell at the last hurdle when my ignition barrel turned out to be fubar. In total Ive spent a week on this engine BEFORE thinking about turning the key.

Basically what Im saying is Ive tried to eliminate all chances of a problem. If I were you I would be tempted to go over all the basics first before trying to fault find.

As for your problem...It could be anything from a bad connection to a lazy starter to a bad starter solonoid. Chances are the carbs will be dirty too if its been laid up for a while.

Good luck.

[Tim M]

Jonny, I'd start off by putting a new battery on it. Sounds like it's not getting enough juice. Chances are trying to fire it up off a set of jump leads with a totally knackered battery isn't going to work. You could take the battery out of the car and hook the outboard up to it to test....

PS. Here's a clue how to get inside it:

[Jonny2488]

Thanks for your input guys.

Tim, I was running it from my car's battery which is in A1 condition.

Planning to have a proper look "under the hood" at the weekend. Any ideas how to get the cowling off? It's a mission!

[Jonny2488]

Cheers for that Tim, very helpful.

[Screaming04]

Fresh gas (and oil mix if required) will do wonders. Lots of battery power. If he left old gas in the carbs, you're in for some agony.

[Screaming04]

Advance the cold start lever all the way and hold down the choke button while cranking if you aren't doing that already. (have earplugs at the ready)

[benc]

How are you connecting the battery to the engine though - if you're using jump leads they're going to have to be decent sized ones, and not too long... I can't start my engine on cheap jump leads... it just doesnt get enough power.

[SeaingRed]

Never believe anyone when they say they've serviced something for you before you buy it!! 9 out of 10 wont have!

Give it a proper service yourself, including a strip clean and rebuild of the carbs before you do much else. Prove the fuel pump works or bolt a new one on. The starter might be lazy too, so this can be stripped and cleaned to give it another lease of life. Just ask if you need help with this.

Then a new battery attached to the correct place!!

Good luck