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Mercury 60 efi hard to start.

M

matan

Member
My 2006 mercy EFI Bigfoot has become hard to start. It takes about a half dozen times cranking for 15 seconds each before she starts. Then it often starts as I let go of the key.
Cleaned all f the battery leads and the connections to the starter. Any chance there is a problem with the choke?
should I hear it click when I depress the key?
the battery is very good. The starter motor goes very well. Until a month ago this motor started first click of the key. I use the boat about twice a week.
cl
 
That motor has no choke so pushing in on key does nothing..Check the fuel for contamination and check fuel pressure
 
faztbullet said:
That motor has no choke so pushing in on key does nothing..Check the fuel for contamination and check fuel pressure
Click to expand...
The motor runs very well once it gets going. Idle is ok and all running speeds seem great.
how do I check for fuel pressure?
I live 200 miles south of Perth in Western Australia and it is a job to drag the boat to a Mercury workshop. So it would be great to be able to fix this. The rock lobster season opens tomorrow!!!
 
I have same engine. Engine very easy to operate, starts every time within seconds. My Whaler is uncovered and water got into tank through release valve on fuel tank. After fuel went thru (approx. 3 min) motor fouled, barely made it back to dock in strong winds. Dealer drained & replaced fouled plugs; unfortunately finished for the season in Upstate NY
 
I would also keep it simple. Definitely, even if you think the plugs look sort of OK, replace them. Do not wire brush as a piece of the brush my imbed itself inside the plug and loosen inside the engine. Go new, and send me a few lobsters if I nailed it. Good luck. Steve, PLYMOUTH, MA, USA
 
There will not be any lobsters or as we call them " crays" until I get this solved. But your help is appreciated. Should the fuel filter be full. Should pumping the bulb on your fuel lne fill the fuel filter? I can crank the starter for a minute and the fuel filter does not fill up. Also where can I test to see if the efi control unit is getting enough volts?
will testing at the starter motor tell me anything. The starter seems to crank ok. I suspect that the efi is not getting the voltage or perhaps not getting fuel. Any suggestions, except that I send lobsters to Plymouth.
To Mass.
 
I know on my small 8 hp Johnson, the inline filter on hose from tank is full. When was the last time you changed out your fuel pump? If you can, remove the hose from pump going to carbs. See if fuel is pumping well while cranking. If not, change out pump and fuel filter.
 
????--------There are no carburetors on an EFI motor.--------The concern is the excessive cranking.--------The starters are easily damaged.-------Slow cranking leads to spark ( no spark ) issues.----Also have the battery load tested.
 
Sorry,...didn't follow all the thread. Eliminate low fuel supply.
Check fuel pressure with hose attached to outflow of fuel pump to guage. I'm no pro as you may have discovered, but I've never been to a mechanic. Give lack of fuel some attention. I'd also check the spark plugs to see if they are burning hot/lean or cold/wet. If black, too much fuel. If grey to white, not enough fuel.
 
I have been careful to not over crank th starter. I suppose I can check the fuel pump by disconnecting it but I don't have a way to measure he output pressure. It is odd that the fuel filter dos not fill even after repeated cranking.
it could be that the power drained by the starter I or the wires and switch involved reduces the voltage at the controller of the EFI. I have a multi meter but do not know what values to look for or where to do the testing. Any suggestions?
 
I would keep it simple. Maybe a local garage will do it for you if you drag it down there and have it prepped, i.e., have the output at pump ready to hook up guage. Or else, order one overnight. I do not think the EFI would work, then not, then work. If no gauge, just for giggles, pull the hose off line to injectors, aim in a safe direction and crank motor a couple revolutions. If it shoots out, it's probably fine but dribbling would indicate fuel filter, pump or pickup in fuel tank. And be sure there's nothing in fuel hose doing this. Just for instance, my oil tank feeding the heater was clogged. It would take way too long for the burner to ignite. But even though it did fire up, the line from the tank to the burner (was) partially blocked. Give it a go, man.
 
After checking for proper fuel supply, then I'd go for voltage readings. Does that have an electric fuel pump or one that works off the compression of the engine?
 
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