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Stall dead battery

M

micar

New member
I have a 2008 60hp 4 stroke Merc. It has run fine all summer until......We had the boat out at low speed trolling, motor ran fine, went to move to a new spot on the lake and when we went to full throttle an alarm sounded, continuous. Immediately cut the throttle (it's a tiller) alarm stopped and motor stalled. Restarted and ran fine at just off idle. Again went to full throttle again alarm and this time motor went into limp mode. We were thinking maybe low oil in motor or bottom end. Checked both and fine.
Boat sat for 3 days. Started and ran at WOT down the lake for about 20mins, idled for another hour, no alarms. On the way back to the dock ran fine for 10 mins then began to chug, lost power and stalled, would not restart or turn over.
Hooked up new battery and started, got home and quit again.
Dealer says stator or charging assembly, quotes $1500 to repair! This seems crazy to me. Any ideas??
We have on occasion had to short across the starter terminals to start the motor as the key broke in the switch.
 
Thoughts?

You took it to a dealer who gave an opinion - whether they tested anything or not you didn't specify.

You didn't like the price, from your response so you have posted on a internet forum looking for someone who has never seen the motor to over rule/over turn the opinion of the dealer who, minimally, you at least talked to about the issue.

Having said all that, initially, it sounds like you have potentially two issues - while perhaps simultaneous to each other, not really related.

The steady alarm at full throttle (initially, with no reduction in rpms) is typical of an initial "overheat". After you got it going again, upped the rpms, got the alarm again and went into "limp" - again "possibly" indicative of an overheat - rpms reduced relative to the degree of overheat.

Yes, oil pressure would also create a similar alarm and rpm reduction, but it would be unlikely that it would "cease" with an "operator induced" drop in rpms (throttle back) - a degraded cooling system CAN and often DOES provide enough cooling at lower rpms.

Second potential issue - when the motor stalled and would not restart, you swapped the battery and got her going. That MAY indicate that minimally the charge bobbins in the stator are toast (not charging the battery) or the voltage regulator is shot (which can cause a power back up that will fry the stator) - the "stalling" could be a result of the charging issue in fact killing the ignition bobbins in the stator.

So with a stator running 300 bucks or so, another 200 for a voltage regulator, maybe a bit more for other various parts/pieces, then a couple hours to diagnose/test, and then a couple hours of labour, 1500 bucks, while it might sound high, COULD be the end bill in a worst case scenario based on what information the dealer has.

So advice, if you think this particular dealer is trying to rip you off then either 1) try another shop or 2) get a service manual and start testing things yourself.

These motors, built in the past 10-15 years, particularly the 4 strokes and DFI 2 strokes that now have sensors, modules, engine computers etc are a little beyond the backyards mechanic's ability to work on with a screwdriver and a wrench.

It is one of my personal pet peeves that when the salesmen/women of these "wonderful, quiet, fuel-efficient, emissions friendly" motors is being sold to you, they fail to impress upon the buyer that annual service "is" required and that it's expensive. And IF you choose to forego annual maintenance, then corrective maintenance is REALLY EXPENSIVE.

Sorry, but you asked for "thoughts"...
 
Last edited:
kimcrwbr1 said:
not alot of four stroke techs will chime in as most shops still work on these motors. (professional courtesy)
Click to expand...

The Merc dealer that I can see across the farm field that butts against my backyard has a sign over the service desk - "We regret that we can not service outboards manufactured before 1999" (15 years old seems to be the limit for many dealers when it comes to service).

Since he sends me some carb work etc on older portables, over the door in my garage/shop I placed a sign - We regret that we can not service outboards built after 1998 :)
 
Galamb, I appreciate your response!! Although it starts out a little harsh. Many people resort to forums for constructive help and second opinions from others.
With that said, a little more background.
I have not taken the motor to a dealer, the price quoted is an over the phone quote from a dealer that is 1.5 hrs away by air.....yes by air!! The motor is located on a First Nation reserve in northern Manitoba Canada.
So in order for the motor to be fixed/diagnosed it has to be air freighted to and from the dealer at additional cost! I am not a marine motor mechanic, preventative maintenance has been done, yearly engine and gear oil changes, new plugs this yr etc...I have not looked at the cooling system....my bad by the sounds of it.
I hope this clears thing up a little.
Mike
 
Kim thanks for the reply. I will look into the impeller and cooling system. Right now I'm thinking the motor will have to go out on the winter road for service and repair.
Mike
 
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