I have a norman 20 boat fitted with a mercury 25hp 1983 model. For the past two years i have had starter problems! Last year after two failed new starters (burnt out immediately!) another one was fitted and worked great. This season I went to start - the engine turned but would not start. I changed the fuel tank, cleaned everything and put new fuel in. Started great! Then she stopped again. Would not turn over! I managed to start using the pull cord. Had another starter motor fitted yesterday. Engineer ranf and said it would not turn over. He said that the engine was stiff - maybe I need a new engine! Can anyone help?
I could think of reasons a 4-stroke might be stiff to turn over but not a 2-stroke unless it was seizing up yet I assume yours is (a) 2-stroke and (b) was running fine? Can't offer any reasons why starters should burn out unless they are for a smaller engine, i.e. wrong type.
I suppose you are running it on 50:1 petroil mix aren't you? Probably a daft question. That would make it stiff, eventually terminally stiff!
I have a manual start short shaft 20 hp Yamaha with the same problem, it's brutal to pull over, so much so I've given up trying now as I get older. It's sitting in the workshop and I'll probably sell it which is a shame as I resprayed and re-lacquered it, fitted new decals I had specially made, fitted new prop and new coils. It looks a treat, I just can't pull the beast over!
The cost of boating is insignificant compared to costs of a young wife and two teenage kids!
going up on friday to see if i can get it started. went up sunday butit would not start with pull cord. but i think that the fuel wasnt getting through.
mercury 25 starting problems
Posted - 27 May 2011 : 08:58:13
