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MERC ALPHA 50 WONT START IN THE WATER

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wag23455

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"Have a 2004 SeaRay 215 Weeken

"Have a 2004 SeaRay 215 Weekender, 230 hours on the Merc Alpha 5.0 carb'd engine. It has (2) fully charged and properly connected Optima blue top batteries in it. The boat will start fine in the driveway when hooked up to the hose and muff. The last two times I took it down to the ramp and dunked it, it turns over and at times sounds like it wants to start but never does. I load it back on the trailer, take it home, and PRESTO - - it will start on the hose and muff. This leads me to believe its some type of grounding issue. I gave the engine a once over looking for any obvious loose wires and pushed the cabin fuse box tester to see if any fuses were bad. Nothing out of the ordinary. The terminal anode leads on the outdrive are secure, non-corroded, and all anodes are in place and in decent shape. IM AT A LOSS! Any thoughts/suggestions."
 
"Allergic to water?
Land or w

"Allergic to water?
Land or water shouldnt make a difference.Grounds, unllikely. I`d suspect a fuel issue."
 
"water allergy<[img]"http://ww

"water allergy
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I love it.
I would agree with the doctur, maybe see if you got water in the fuel?"
 
It sits level in the driveway?

It sits level in the driveway? At the ramp it sits on an angle? Full tank of fuel? Loosen the fuel tank cap and see if it starts at the lake. Fuel vent line may have a low spot colllecting fuel and preventing the pump from siphoning by the pump.
 
"could the carb. float be the

"could the carb. float be the problem seeing how, like guy said, it's level is different on trailer and in water? out of adjustment, or partially not floating??? just a thought. the experts should ellaberate. b/c an expert i am not."
 
the float in that carb is more

the float in that carb is more sensative to port/starboard moveement then bow/stern.

Check your safety lanyard switch ( that will kill the spark )

also check for loose wires going to and from the distributor

how many times do you typically pump the throttle handle before starting? cold and warm ?
 
"if none of the above seem to

"if none of the above seem to do it, try hooking it up to an aux. outboard motor tank on the launch ramp and see if it starts.

before doing that, does your boat have a TKS carb,if so I think there is a wire that goes to the oil pressure switch, if the switch is corroded or faulty it shuts the fuel pump down."
 
"Going to take it down to the

"Going to take it down to the ramp this afternoon and give the gas cap recommendation a try. I checked the safety lanyard switch and it is in the proper run position. That was the first thing I checked. The engine is a 220hp Alpha 5.0, carb'd. Nothing fancy. The carb was rebuilt a couple months after I bought it (10 hours on it) because the float was sticking. I typically pump the handle a few times before starting or once I turn the key. If no go after about 8-10 seconds, I turn off completely and try again. No go after 3 cycles and I throw in the towel. The last time in the driveway, it started right away with only one pump on the throttle. Soooo, will advise on the test...

Rik"
 
"While there take the flame ar

"While there take the flame arrestor off and watch the choke very carefully. If it shuts all the way and does not open about 1/8 inch when cranking then that may be your issue. You can stick a thick screwdriver handle in it to keep it open and try again.

If that works, the choke needs adjusting or is defective.

Just a thought.........."
 
Also have you checked the fuel

Also have you checked the fuel pick up in the tank??? if it has a screen attached it may have come loose and is clogging the pick up tube and by coincedence it happens when you are in the water and level............Ask me how I know???

Not really dont ask............
 
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