OpiemusRex
New member
Hello all, I am having an issue with my 2006 50hp four stroke where it will intermittently decide that it does not wish to start. Every time that I put it on the water it will start and run just fine and on many trips I do not have an issue. But the problem is that occasionally it will decide that it just does not wish to start after shutting down and fishing around for a while on the trolling motor. I have replaced the gas line, the bulb is always full and tight but just did it because, changed all the spark plugs, filters and oils and most recently I took it to a certified Merc mechanic that has a really great reputation. He put it on the computer and it has not thrown any codes that would cause the problem that I have described. I gave it to him for two months and he took it to the lake and ran it in his shop for several hours without so much as a hiccup. He checked out all reasonable causes for the issues but has found nothing to so far, he even took the VST apart and stated that it was clean and unclogged, He returned the boat to me stating that he doubted that he has fixed the problem but to call him if it occurs again and bring it to him immediately. Well, I was out last week and it happened again, I drove about a mile from the launch and everything was fine with the motor running like a champ. I shut down and trolled around on the trolling motor for just over a half hour or so and tried to crank it up and all it would do is turn over without firing. After trying to start the motor numerous times I call my mechanic and advised him what was happening and that I was heading to him. Just as we flagged down a boat and tied off to him for a pull back to the ramp my wife turned the ignition and it fired up like nothing was wrong so we went closer to the ramp and continued to fish. The motor never had an issued the remainder of the day and we have been again once since then without issue. I called Mercury in Michigan and described all of the above to them and they gave me the usual responses like have the mechanic conduct a spark test, check the coils, it may be a grounded wire etc. etc. I am at a lose on this one and would be very interested if anyone else has experienced the same issue. I did see where a guy was having a problem somewhat like mine back in 2015 but I could not find if he ever had it resolved. It is really weird and if I didn't know better I would say that it is vapor locking like in some older model cars that I have dealt with, I now think that it is most likely a fire (ignition) issue and I am willing to entertain any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
