mercury 5hp 4 stroke 11 years old(?) - wont start easily

[squirty34]

I have inherited this engine along with our new boat. It has not been used often over the 11 years and it is not happy.

It has an external fuel tank and while it started the first few times it now refuses to play. I also suspect it has been in the drink at least once (tiny salt crystals around the plastics)

It turns over fine, but there is no attempt to fire.

Is it worth taking it to bits and cleaning it out? Or should I pay and have a dealer / technician have a look. The other alternative is sell it not currently working, but I really don't want to do that as it did work a few days ago.

If cleaning / fixing it is the right thing to do - what should I concentrate on?

All sensible advice appreciated.

BTW -we don't like it anyway as it is much too heavy to manhandle on and off the rail and we are seriously considering a 2.5hp Honda / Yamaha / Suzuki instead.

Thanks

Andy

[Stu Jackson]

There are many How to Repair Outboard Engine threads and YouTubes on the internet. Carburetor repair and rebuild are among them. There is also, if you have one, the kill switch wiring that goes wonky. And old fuel especially ethanol is useless. Good luck.

Also this:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...65#post2152265

[bstreep]

We have an 09. Ethanol destroyed the inside of all fuel lines, and clogged the filter. Replacing the filter won't work. Replace all lines from the tank to the carbs. Clean the carbs.


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[squirty34]

Thanks all.

Cleaned the fuel lines and stripped and cleaned the carburetor. Suspicion was correct there was sea water residue in the float chamber. Greased all the control cables just in case and rewired two electrical joints that looked corroded.

All cleaned and now back to perfect. Engine started very well third pull. Zooming around faster than she has ever gone before on test run.



Andy