50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

[sibylernie]

Recently installed water pump kit with help of this forum.Thanks! Now the engine will not start. Probably not related to installation of kit. Engine did start and run well before kit. Plugs are wet after trying to start so it could be firing problems. Should I replace plugs and wires before have a professional look at the motor? I noticed some corrosion inside nipples that attach to plugs. Could corrosion on battery terminals be culprit? Are there other things that I can try? Also, there seems to be an abundance of oil in water tank after several attempts to start engine. Had new (wiring harness?) installed last year.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

Welcome to iboats!

Is it trying to start? You should go to your local auto parts store and buy a spark-gap tester, they are very inexpensive, and it will tell you if you are getting fire to the plugs. Sounds like you are not.​

 

[sibylernie]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

The motor gave one short kick over several attempts to start. I choked it several times and thought there was enought gas but after reading several threads in this forum it sounds like these motors are hard to flood. Also, the plugs are not the gap type of plugs so a gap tester may not work. Should I continue to choke engine after smelling gas. Doess "wetter the better" apply here?

 

[hammyloz]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

the spark tester goes from your plug to the ht lead i got one off of ebay for a couple of english pounds

my engine does flood and wont start so i would say stop pumping when smelling gas

 

[sibylernie]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

Thanks studlymandingo and hammyloz. I will get a gap tester and do the test. Will let you know results. Maybe I will be catching some of these Virginia coast fish is a few days.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

harbor freight sells a cheap one

 

[sibylernie]

Re: 50HP Mariner Very Hard To Start

Bought spark gap tester. Test did not show that a spark was present so I put cowling back on motor with thoughts of transporting motor to local repair shop. Just for kicks, I tried the motor one more time and it started. Although the water pump worked it appears the copper tubing worked loose from the top and water was exiting at back of lower unit and not pee hole. Removed lower unit again and reset copper tubing but after several tries have not been able to tread lower unit back in motor. This will be my last post on this subject since I anticipate success on my next attempt to re-install lower unit. Thanks all for your help.