[Mr.T]

I have a 1994 200 hp Mercury EFI on a boat I just bought a month or so ago. Had a problem last weekend where it wouldn't start - pulled the cover and found that the starter gear was turning but it wasn't extended far enough to mesh with the starting ring on the engine.

Initially thought it was a weak/dying battery, but after checking it at the marina with a load tester, decided that wasn't the problem.

Just by chance, I wiggled the starter gear a little bit and from then on, it engaged and started the engine with no problems for the rest of the weekend.

Do I just need to add a few drops of lube to the starter shaft where it spins the small gear up, or is this a sign of a bigger problem to come?

Thanks!

 

[Bobpaul]

A few drops of oil, nothing more. It could just be from lack of use.

Of course your going to have problems coming up. You've got an engine that's near 12 yrs old.

Learn all you can about good preventive maintenance. Use good oil and keep your gas fresh. Find a shop you trust and if you don't service your engine yourself, have them do it on a regular basis. Don't forget to get it winterized when the time comes.