mercury problems

stu1288 · 01 March 2006, 00:12

hi me and a freind went down the river the other week he has got a 15ft fletcher and a 50hp mercury on the back. We got both boats in the water and made our way down towards the pub (havin a little play in each others wakes) all well and good i showed him how much better a rib was then turned to come back he's boat was running well untill just before our slipway then he shouted across she is spluttering he tryed to open her up and she died.
I stopped my boat and gave him a few mins to sort his problem out but she would'nt start for him so i tugged him back up.

popped round to see him other day and he cant get her started he cant get a spark on all 3 plugs why could this be can any 1 help us

thanx stuart

Paul F · 01 March 2006, 06:45

could be a few things.
Fuse? kill cord? Stop circuit, stator.
Start with the stop circuit first.
Paul

stu1288 · 01 March 2006, 11:08

i dont think it is any fuses as i have checked them kill cord seems ok too i pulled it out and pushed back up again whats the, stator , and what is the stop circuit i think i now now just wana be sure.

cheers stu

GaryD · 01 March 2006, 20:18

could be a flat battery caused by a knackered stator? It happened to me before and the fault was a flat battery. The stator was buggered and wasnt charging the battery....just a suggestion.

What age is the engine?

stu1288 · 01 March 2006, 21:13

no the battery turns the engine over very well just cant get a spark wat is a stator

Ian Sharlot · 01 March 2006, 22:21

Hi. Take your flywheel off and you will find it under there. Windings of copper wire, a bit like the inside of an electric motor

Biggles · 01 March 2006, 22:43

Look at the wiring. Is this an old boat ?

My guess is its something to do with old damp wiring.

Engines just don't die from mechanical reasons.

They might run like sh_t which indicates a mechanical problem, but completely dead is usually a wiring/electrical problem. Or maybe fuel, but even then they run but just lumpy.

Guess a few more details are needed.

Biggles · 01 March 2006, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker

Hi. Take your flywheel off and you will find it under there. Windings of copper wire, a bit like the inside of an electric motor

Thats a major job. Don't do it unless your an expert. Even with a knackered stator it should still run, just won't charge.

By the way I'm no engine expert. Just had loads of my own problems to sort out.

stu1288 · 02 March 2006, 00:01

The boat is a 95 i think i think it could be sumthing to do with the wiring as the fuel is ok and that wudnt stop us getting a spark anyway neither would the stator would it must be the wiring strange that it run 4 a bit though aint it. the way it cut out made it seem like a fuel problem

too many wires on the dam thing why cant they make em simple like yamaha's

Biggles · 02 March 2006, 00:19

stu,

This site isn't really the place to get good engine problems answered. you need to go to www.iboats.com.

But be prepared to supply a lot of details.

My guess is though your problem is quite simple.

Unfortunately that is once someone has worked out what it is. And at the end of the day we all have to earn a living and pay GB his taxes. You will get there eventually but it will take a lot of time.

If you can why not take it to a outboard repairer. Its a slack time of the year and at least they will give you some idea of how much it will cost to get fixed.

stu1288 · 02 March 2006, 00:23

thanx biggles ill just have a play the weekend i do prefer yamahas though

jwalker · 02 March 2006, 09:56

This thread may be helpful.

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....t=charge+coils

Post no.27 tells you how it works.

Therefore, any break in this part of the circuit will kill your sparks. Identify the cables and start checking for bad connections, broken cores to the wiring and chafed cables etc. (Bend the cables and if the core is broken you will find a tighter curve at the break.) If you are sure that all cables and connections are good, then you need to look for failed components. DO ensure you have fully eliminated the kill switch and ignition off circuits before you start giving yourself a big job.

Turbodiesel · 02 March 2006, 20:06

Sound like the stator to me, if all three cylinders are down, you can check the Resistance of the stator if you can get hold of a service manual. You can check the kill circuit just by disconnecting it and trying to start the engine.
The trigger will not usually make all three cylinders stop firing, or of course it could be the switch box, but my guess id the stator.

Not hard to change if you have a flywheel puller!!

Biggles · 02 March 2006, 22:52

Turbo,

Surely if the stator is knackered then it won't stop the engine. Just recharging.

I'm quite happy to be put right tho as I'm no mechanic. Just had my own little problems and want to help others.

stu1288 · 05 March 2006, 23:40

thanks guys for all the help but for the future if some one asks it could be the mercury trim switch that cuts the engine off if you trim to high thats wat it was

but thanks for the help

DM · 06 March 2006, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu1288

it could be the mercury trim switch

The mercury filled tilt safety switch on the top port side of the engine is prone to failure. Usually when the IOM ferry is bearing down on you.

Just snip the black/yellow lead running from it and away you go.

DM

tue · 06 March 2006, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Turbo,

Surely if the stator is knackered then it won't stop the engine. Just recharging.

I'm quite happy to be put right tho as I'm no mechanic. Just had my own little problems and want to help others.

The stator provides electricity for both charging and the ignition system.

Turbodiesel · 06 March 2006, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tue

The stator provides electricity for both charging and the ignition system.

Yeap he's right!!

Turbodiesel · 06 March 2006, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu1288

thanks guys for all the help but for the future if some one asks it could be the mercury trim switch that cuts the engine off if you trim to high thats wat it was

but thanks for the help

I dont understand, are you talking about a Trim limiting mercury switch? Or a mercury switch that cuts the ignition if the engine goes over?

Paul F · 06 March 2006, 21:31

Turbo
Think youll find hes on about the mercury switch cuts engine when engine is tilted up passed a certain angle. Designed for those people that like to run their engines on ultra shallow drive (prop not in water). Merc done away with them as they were unreliable

Paul