starter/alternator/battery question?

[Junebug]

I have a 1999 Mercury XR6 150hp motor.  I am pretty certain that I have a relatively good starting battery.  It is a duralast marine starting battery.  

My problem is that I have been having a lot of trouble getting my motor to actually "roll over," when I first try to start it at the boat ramp. In other words, it is "rolling", but not starting until after several trials.  I hope I can describe this clearly so that it makes sense... I'm not very mechanical when it comes to engines.  

This is an example of a typical day starting my motor:

I begin by turning the key; I let it "roll" (like a cold car engine before it cranks) several times, not expecting it to crank.

Then I prime the engine by pushing in the key for about 7 seconds.  I turn the key again; this time it fires like it is going to start, but immediately shuts off.

I turn the key again, this time I quickly tap the hot foot.  It rolls and sounds like it is about to start, but then it stops rolling and makes a "whining" sound.

I will usually go through this process of turning the key, tapping the hot-foot, rolling, then whining about 4-5 more times before the motor finally starts...

It seems like this process, that usually takes 5-10 minutes, would take a toll on my battery.  After I finally get the motor started, I usually don't have any more problems throughout the course of the day.  Then engine will usually start immediately when I turn the key.

But I went out Saturday for a very short fishing trip, and I didn't drive very far from the ramp to my hole.  It started right up when I got ready to leave Saturday evening.  But when I got to the ramp Sunday afternoon my cranking battery was dead.  :'(

So, as I said, I'm no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination.  But it seems to me that it shouldn't be so hard to get the boat to crank, and I don't understand why my starting battery would be dead on Sunday afternoon.  By the way, I did check to make sure I didn't leave anything on over night.  

I guess my question is...  do you think something is wrong with my starter? or my alternator?  or my battery?  or just operator error, a.k.a. my method of starting my boat is wrong?  

Any input, answers, opinions, or tips are GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Garnet]

Before the first crank push your key in 5-6 times, turn the key and step on the gas. Push the key 3-4 times and turn key and step on the gas. By the third time it should start.

Thats prime the bulb first.

Have you changed the spark plugs lately.

Garnet

[Junebug]

This is the second year I've had the boat.  I've never changed the plugs.  That definitely couldn't hurt.  Thanks.

[Safety1]

If its any consolation, I also have a 99 Merc XR6 150 and I have the same starting problems you do.  I have a standard throttle and I have come to the point where I push in the button to disengage the "transmission", advance the throttle and turn the key to start (this is no easy task when you are alone).  When the engine finally fires (and starts racing), I quickly move the throttle back to neutral.  I'm sure folks on this forum will say that my approach is a bad and risky practice, so I'll try some of the advice given to you.  

[Junebug]

man, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one.  Hopefully we'll continue to get some good advice on this issue.

[HPBB]

make sure the motor is sitting level, and the prime bulb is hard. My brother has a 125 merc that is a bear to start unless it sits level.

[Garnet]

Another thing trim the motor down until the motor is level. These carb motors can be cranky about that.

Garnet

[NBR]

Junenbug,

My motor is a 1989 XR4 150 and I have had similar problems that 100% of the time were traced to a low charge on the cranking motor battery or the cranking battery going bad.

About 2 years ago I started right up at the ramp but when I was ready to start again it would not fire. It cranked but did not fire. I went straight to a dealer replaced the battery and it has been fine since.

[fishinfiend]

check your connectors from the battery.... your starter may not be recieving enough voltage if they are corroded or the wires are worn

[bilgerat]

Have the battery load tested by a mechanic. This simulates the load that the starter puts on the battery. The starter is THE biggest load on your battery. If that checks out, a worn starter could be the problem. A worn starter will draw way more current (amps) than a healthy one. This can be tested on a bench by a good mechanic.

WARNING.... Before you go throwing parts at this, be aware that most every place that sells parts has a strict policy against returning electrical parts once they are sold. This is done to prevent you from using the parts as "test" pieces (replacing components blindly until the problem is solved). It's worth it to pay someone who knows what they are doing to correctly troubleshoot it. Good luck.

[fishhawk]

Junebug, May have good starting advise for you but I'm not sure which starting enrichment system is on your engine. Do you or anyone else reading know if it has choke plates or an enrichment pump motor. Junebug if your owners manual says to turn the key to run and hold the key in several seconds before "rolling" it over I'm sure it has An enrichment motor. When I know which type I'll post  the best method for that type... Fishhawk  

[Junebug]

according to the manual you are supposed to push in the key and hold it in.  I can actually hear a change in the sound the fuel pump is making, and that's how I know it's fully primed.  Also, could you tell me approximately how much a new starter would cost?  Finally, do you have to put a special type of spark plug on boat motors?

[fishhawk]

Junebug, first sparkplugs for this are most likely NGK surface gap design possibly only available from a Mercury dealer. but before spending the $s try an import parts store that is an NGK dealer. They should be able to order them for you for a bunch less. If they are another brand, try a regular auto parts store. The exact plug designed for your engine is very important, dont' try just any one. Starter price? Don't know, check with a Mercury dealer or talk to someone that rebuilds car starters/alternators, they might be able to rebuild it for you. New proper sparkplugs can't hurt a thing and might help. The fact that you stated in your original post that the engine starts and then dies and once running and warmed up it starts fine leads me to believe that the problem likely lies in your starting procedure. Basic caburated engines need extra fuel to start and also warmup. this need is greater the colder the outside temp is. I'm assuming that your manual telling you to hold your key in before "rolling" your engine over tells me that it uses an enrichment pump. Before investing in starter work etc. try this procedure. First trim it down slightly beyond level. Second prime the bulb till firm. Third turn the key to run [not all the way to start] and push the key in for 3 to 6 seconds [3 if 60+ degrees 6 if 40 or below]. Forth hold the throttle open slightly and turn the key to start while also pushing in the key. Fifth when the engine fires let go of the key but keep the throttle open some watching not to rev it too high. Sixth if it tries to die push the key in only for 1or 2 seconds immediately the second it hints of dying. Seventh each time it hints of dying repeat step 6 until it runs on its own. Pushing in the key adds more fuel for initial startup and also during the warmup. If it is only used before the first fireup it will die out from not having enough fuel to keep it running so keep pushing the key in to keep it running until it wants to keep running on it's own it may take 5 to ten pushes during a 10 to 30 second period depending on the temp. Lastly if if it fails to fire in the first 5 to 10 second let out on the key or it may flood. If you still have trouble have a Mercury tech start it from cold with you present in a test tank or on a hose to see if there is a problem or if there is something wrong with your tecnique. Good Luck... Fishhawk   PS write the steps down, I know I couldn't remember all of them!