1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

[moondog54]

Forgive my ignorance. This is my very first outboard. I purchased this outboard a few weeks ago from a man who said it runs excellent and has never given him a problem. he started it right up and I watched it run for about 15 minutes before i purchased it. I got it out on the water this past weekend and it wouldn't start. It intially did start but shut right off. I thought I flooded the engine but it would not start up later. The fuel was primed and getting to the hose engine but th plugs were dry. I believe the fuel pump was not drawing the gas into the engine......any ideas?

 

[rjezuit]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Vent on the tank open? Is the primer ball hard after you pump it up? Sometimes after lying them down (not too often) the float will stick in the closed position, and not allow fuel into the carb. Stand it up and give the carb a few raps with the plastic end of a screwdriver. Rick

 

[moondog54]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Thanks for the quick reply. The vent on the tank is open. The primer bulb was solid after pumping it. I checked the connection and gas came out when I disconnected it so I know the tank was getting to the motor. This float is it in the carb?

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/OMC_6hp.htm

You might find something here of use. I hope so. If you saw it running for fifteen minutes the pump is probably working. If you think not put your gas can above the carb. height and the gas will flow in via gravity. Also check the top of this forum for Top Secret File. There is lots there about engines that won't start. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Forgive my ignorance. This is my very first outboard. I purchased this outboard a few weeks ago from a man who said it runs excellent and has never given him a problem. he started it right up and I watched it run for about 15 minutes before i purchased it. I got it out on the water this past weekend and it wouldn't start. It intially did start but shut right off. I thought I flooded the engine but it would not start up later. The fuel was primed and getting to the hose engine but th plugs were dry. I believe the fuel pump was not drawing the gas into the engine......any ideas?

Run through the starting procedure you used when trying to start your new outboard for us, if you would. Describe every step. It could be that you're just trying to start it incorrectly.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

OK, heck...I'll describe how you should start that 6hp:

1. Pump the bulb until firm.
2. Make sure shifter is in Neutral.
3. Pull choke knob fully out.
4. Turn throttle to the Start position. If the marking is gone, just turn it halfway.
5. Pull the rope until the engine fires. Four times is the most you should ever need.
6. Slow down engine to a fast idle.
7. Push choke halfway in and let engine warm up.
8. Push choke fully in and enjoy your day.

Now, the throttle position can be a little touchy on some of these. Some need more or less throttle to start when cold.

When the engine has been run and warmed up, starting should be a matter of just pulling the starting rope. It should start at idle every time on about a half pull. I can't remember if the 77 model has a kill switch, so. if you kill the engine with the choke knob, be sure to push it all the way in before re-starting when engine is warm.

 

[moondog54]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Thanks that is exactly what I did to start the motor. It sounds like it is going to fire up and then just dies.

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

if you kill the engine with the choke knob, be sure to push it all the way in before re-starting when engine is warm.

I do that with any 2 cycle. The extra oil in the fuel/oil mix I theorize helps coat the cylinder walls and stuff to prevent corrosion. In a four cycle they used to stab the throttle right when they shut it off to get extra fuel in the cylinders to aid startup (if the engine won't sit too long) which I assume would work... but you wouldn't want to wash the oil film off the cylinder walls and end up diluting the oil with gasoline.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Thanks that is exactly what I did to start the motor. It sounds like it is going to fire up and then just dies.

OK. Try opening the throttle a little more past the Start mark. That could do it. Also, put two new spark plugs in that 6hp. Two stroke engines are very sensitive to bad spark plugs, and a new set often makes all the difference.

What may have happened is that the previous owner fired the thing up before you got there and had it warmed up so it would start easily. It's a very, very common thing. He may have known the starting trick for that outboard.

Bottom line is that those 6hps should start easily. If they don't, then it's time to swap in a new set of plugs as the first step. Often, that's all they need. I put new plugs in mine at the beginning of every season. They're cheap.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

I bet you have a stuck float valve. ricks tap on carb idea may work, or pull and clean the carb. Take the top two bolds from the recoil and reposition for access to the carb mounting bolt, after removing cam follower wheel. Easy.
I'm assuming spark is tested 5/16" good.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

I bet you have a stuck float valve. ricks tap on carb idea may work, or pull and clean the carb. Take the top two bolds from the recoil and reposition for access to the carb mounting bolt, after removing cam follower wheel. Easy.
I'm assuming spark is tested 5/16" good.

That's possible, too. However, I always recommend trying the easy stuff first. New plugs and opening the throttle a little more are as easy as it gets. If they don't work, then it's time to go further. The thing is that this outboard was running well when he bought it. Could be a very easy fix.

 

[moondog54]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Thanks guys. Are there any references out there that could tell me what plugs to use and what the gap should be?

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

See the spark plug look-up chart...

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/BRP/SparkPlugChart2008.pdf

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1977 seahorse 6 hp...new to me

Thanks guys. Are there any references out there that could tell me what plugs to use and what the gap should be?

Champion QL77JC4, gapped at .030".

Find 'em in any auto parts store or marine store. Walmart has 'em too, if they have any boating stuff. It's the plug used in a whole bunch of Johnson/Evinrude models. Get four and keep two somewhere handy as spares.

If you're not experienced with wrench turning, be careful not to overtighten them when installing. You're not bolting something together. Screw 'em in until you have contact, then 1/2 turn more. That's all. You don't want to have to helicoil your head.

Let us know if the new plugs fix the problem.