Marine mechanic somerset or advice please

[G4b3 nixon]

Hi, can anyone recommend and engineer/mechanic to look at my mercury 2 stroke 40hp? I am based near bath and am struggling to find anyone willing to work on this oldish (1990) motor.
It seems to be likely to be an earthing problem as the motor runs fine when pull started, but electric start or trim just produces a weak buzzing. I have twin motors exactly the same so have tried swapping parts to see if I can find a faulty component without any luck.
Either advice or contact of someone professional who could help would be amazing. I'm itching to get the boat ready for the spring! Thanks in advance.

[jeffstevens763@g]

is it both engines you have trouble with or just the one?

[CatSailor]

Wet Bristol, Marine Engineers, Boat Sales, Outboard Service, Outboard sales, Outboard Parts,

[G4b3 nixon]

Thanks, they have a waiting list ��And cant keep the boat overnight so it would be a bit of a palarva dropping and retrieving on the same day especially if they cant find the problem straight away.

[G4b3 nixon]

Just one. Trued swapping batteries relays etc. I think i am going to have to start at the battery end and start eliminating things one by one.

[Last Tango]

Hi.

The trim and starter motors are the two high current loads so if it's effecting them both it's almost certainly something basic. (Remember a pull started engine runs on self generated electrical power for the ignition.)
It's almost certainly going to be an issue with the main battery leads/connectors both at the engine or battery end. (Or a duff battery)

I'd disconnect the battery leads a both ends, battery end first and carefully check them end to end for internal breaks or damaged or corroded crimps.
Clean the studs they came off grease them and put it all back together.

A quick check is to by-pass each lead one by one with a DECENT jump lead. (Not cheep Tesco type ones).

[whiskylee]

Steve at Race & Marine knows his stuff
http://www.racemarine.co.uk/MarineEngineering.htm

[G4b3 nixon]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Hi.

The trim and starter motors are the two high current loads so if it's effecting them both it's almost certainly something basic. (Remember a pull started engine runs on self generated electrical power for the ignition.)
It's almost certainly going to be an issue with the main battery leads/connectors both at the engine or battery end. (Or a duff battery)

I'd disconnect the battery leads a both ends, battery end first and carefully check them end to end for internal breaks or damaged or corroded crimps.
Clean the studs they came off grease them and put it all back together.

A quick check is to by-pass each lead one by one with a DECENT jump lead. (Not cheep Tesco type ones).

Thanks. I will try tomorrow!

[nugent]

I am in burnham on sea and tell up to brum weekly happy to take a look

[nugent]

Clean terminals and cut battery cable ends down a little and re fit clean clamps
Also clan and check main feed to solenoid trim feed also comes from here

[G4b3 nixon]

Thanks for the help everyone. Just about to take what felt like quite a drastic measure of connecting my forklift battery to the terminals on what i guess is the solenoid when I noticed one 11mm nut slightly loose. 1/4 of a turn and to my amazement problem solved! Thanks again for the advice, gave me the confidence to have a crack at it myself!

[nugent]

Nice to see you found the fault

[uncle al]

when the RNLI had them, we found that the earths were not very good, so as part of the RNLI build all the earth cables were disconnected the wire in hand,and the connector in the other hand and gently feel if there was any movement,if there was make good that connector.then clean thats bright metal refit and seal with a water proof sealer.