Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

[Don S]

Say you have a boat, not that anyone here does or not, but let's just assume.
You turn the key, the engine cranks, but it doesn't start.
NOW WHAT !!!!!!!
We already know you threw out the anchor and the boat is now secure and not going anywhere till you start the engine.
What would you do, how would you attempt to locate the problem, using a systematic approach. To start with, it doesn't make any difference if it's an outboard, an I/O or a straight inboard, but we will consider it a gasoline engine.

 

[DJ]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

1. Kill switch lanyard in place?

2. Fuel guage. Is there any fuel?

(#1 and #2 two may change places)

3. Visual inspection under the hatch/cowl.

4. Do I have spark?

5. Do I have fuel at the engine, as best I can tell.

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

The correct response is, ( see Pic ) then do what DJ said

 

[MikDee]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

Wow, It looks like total boredom has reached the Top!

1) Check for fuel,

2) Check the lanyard,

3) Blame the Wife!,,,lol

4) Open the hatch, cover, check for anything amiss,

5) Check to see the choke is working, then pump the throttle once, or squeeze the fuel bulb till hard,

6) If no results, Spray some starting fluid into the carb, or injector, and try it again.

7) Depending on last results, if it wants to start check out the fuel delivery system as extensive as I can, and try bypassing whatever I need to get fuel flow to the carb, or injector.

8) If no results from #6, check for spark at the plugs, if none, go over the ignition system piece, by piece.

9) If no luck, Call Seatow!

 

[DJ]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

6) If no results, Spray some starting fluid into the carb, or injector, and try it again.

#6 a. Ask your wife if you still have eyebrows and hair.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

My response would be to open the cowl, not really looking for anything, but you NEVER acknowledge your lack of knowledge. Then, after 15 minutes of poking around, and getting my hands all greasy, I would drop the trollin' motor, and head back toward the ramp, cursing the stupid engine. Then, about the time I would hit the no wake zone at the ramp, I reach down to swat the fly on my leg, and realize it is the kill switch, dangling from my PFD, and the end that was attacking me, was the end that is supposed to attach to the console.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

I don't drink much so I'd be more likely to pop a Diet Coke just before trying to figure out what was going on. If I hadn't done so by the time I finished the DC, I'd prolly just tilt the motor up, push the kicker down and putt, putt back to the ramp. If some flash of brilliance hit me on the way, I might stop to fool with the main powerplant again but more than likely, I'd figure things out after I got home.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

#1 Swim to shore
#2 Walk to the vehicle
#3 Drive home
#4 Sign on to the Forums and start a thread asking for all possible solutions
#5 Go back and do said solutions and tell your wife you knew what to do all along.

 

[achris]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

To start with, it doesn't make any difference if it's an outboard, an I/O or a straight inboard,

Tells me he's thinking 'generic', nothing specific to 2 stroke or 4.

And some of the engines in this group don't have ignition kill switch lanyards, so that's out.

but we will consider it a gasoline engine.

But he is thinking spark ignition, not diesel.

So he's thinking ignition first.

So, open the 'hood' and look for a wire or plug lead that has fallen off. Given that the engine got you out there in the first place it can't be something too catastrophic. Also it cranked, so the starter system is working. Fuel is an obvious one also, but engines don't run ok until you shut them down and all of a sudden they are out of fuel. You'd get some kind of kick out of it, even if it was on the last dregs of fuel.

I think Don's so bored he's trying to make our heads hurt

Chris.............

 

[BoogieMan]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

My response would be to open the cowl, not really looking for anything, but you NEVER acknowledge your lack of knowledge. Then, after 15 minutes of poking around, and getting my hands all greasy, I would drop the trollin' motor, and head back toward the ramp, cursing the stupid engine. Then, about the time I would hit the no wake zone at the ramp, I reach down to swat the fly on my leg, and realize it is the kill switch, dangling from my PFD, and the end that was attacking me, was the end that is supposed to attach to the console.

I take it that this really happened ?

Good thing this isn't a real test and the loser ends up being banned for failing this .

1. Check Lanyard switch (depending on how new the boat is check the master switch)
2. Check the amp gage, battery(s) and connections (for this could be a factor and not give enough power for the engine to fire up)
3. Check Vent cap on the gas tank and check fuel level
4. Check the bulb to see if it's tight
5. Check the spark
6. Check the fuel lines and connections (I got a fish hook hung on my brother's boat's gas line and we ended up paddling all the way back to shore because of that little bitty hole).
7. Start cursing
8. Thought about carrying some premixed in a spray bottle just for these type of situations, better then starter fluid.

"Don S.....You turn the key, the engine cranks, but it doesn't start."

Personally my opinion if the engine turns over (instead of cranks) and doesn't start then I believe you have a problem. No offense intended by any means.

 

[achris]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

Personally my opinion if the engine turns over (instead of cranks) and ....

Please explain the difference between 'turns over' and 'cranks'. I always thought the terms meant the same thing.....

 

[JCF350]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

For most boaters? Call SeaTow

Otherwise
1 check for spark - electrical is the weakest link
2 check for fuel - second weakest
3 check compression - get a tow if you ain't gots none (should be rather obvious with cranking speed)

 

[JB]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158071

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

My engine is black so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158071

JB cheated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

no one caught this, "Spray some starting fluid into the carb, or injector, and try it again." never on a 2 stroke.

unbolt the motor and make an anchor of it.

 

[BoogieMan]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

8. Thought about carrying some premixed in a spray bottle just for these type of situations, better then starter fluid.
.

no one caught this, "Spray some starting fluid into the carb, or injector, and try it again." never on a 2 stroke.
unbolt the motor and make an anchor of it.

I thought I brought that up . Heck starter fluid aint good for diesels or gas burning motors. I know somebody that had to rebuild a diesel tractor motor, after he used starter fluid in it.

Achrish, in most occasion from my point of view crank means start, especially here in the south in the good ole USA. Heck as a kid I use to have a remote control front end loader that had voice and when you go to move it first thing it would do is say crank it up, then it would move. Another term us rednecks use is spin it over......so you got spin it over, turn it over, and crank it up. I guess the crank term can come from the early 1900's when you had to literally go to the front of the motor and crank her up, with the old hand crank.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

#1 panic
#2 open engine cover look for anything easy
#3 It won't be anything easy
#4 panic some more
#5 check for spark by getting a massive electrical shock
#6 time to start cussing
#7 check weather conditions
#8 pull up anchor
#9 try to row great big boat to shore with stupid little paddle
#9a be terribly embarrassed why people point and laugh
#10 get blown to nearest shore
#11 abandon boat
#12 come back next day with some tools and try to fix whatever problem it is.
#13 Walk along shore pulling boat behind until getting to boat launch.
#14 be terribly embarrassed why people point and laugh
#15 load up boat and go home.


Truthfully I have no idea what would happen. No tow boats in my area. Somehow I would have to either fix it or get it home by myself.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

Back "when I was a boy" we used to insert a crank handle in the front of the engine to spin the engine over by hand until it started. Unless, you had a old 2 putt John Deer tractor. On them you opened the spit cocks first then you grabbed the flywheel and spun the engine over to get it to start

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Real World BOATING Brain Teaser

Well, if I was out in the middle of the lake....probably try a couple of dry flies, and think about it under calmer circumstances.
BP