1986 30HP ran then died

[woody20]

I have a 1986 30HP, I started it up on two different days and it ran without problem out of the water. I put it on the water started right up with one pull. I put a load on it and it ran great, put it smoked white smoke alittle, but it sounded good. I idled under a bridge and come back on to a load and it ran great again. Then I idled for about 30 mins fishing and went to go to the other side of the lake and it start to die, ask friend to check the bulb and he pulled the choke and thats when it died. I changed the spark plugs, changed the gas tank, and also checked the spark from the plugs both where great. I slowly pulled the rope to make sure there was compression and there was tension on both pistons. The engine farts but does not turn over. Any suggestions what I should try? Could it be a carb issue?

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

If the spark is great then the carb is the next place to start...when was the last time you had the carb rebuilt

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

When you ran it out of the water, did you run it dry? That white smoke may have been steam coming from a dying impeller. I would check compression with a gauge to make sure the motor isn't cooked....<br /><br />Is the motor new to you or has it sat for more than a few months? Might be a gummed up carb, too. If compression checks out (better than 100psi in both holes, no more than 10% variance) and you have good spark (jumps a 1/2" gap, bright white/blue) then look at the fuel system...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[woody20]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

This motor was my father-in-laws and he had it tuned up two years ago almost, and didn't run it for a year. I don't know when the carb was last rebuild. <br />Also the white smoke was only white, I think it was just burning off the off fuel left inside it or burning off crap. When I ran it out of the water I had the hose on it over the water pump not to burn out the motor. I will check the compression, I will have to get the compression gauage today. Know where I can get one cheap, think the boat store, or auto parts store? I have the manual so I will follow the instructions, but where should I ground the spark plug wires too, anywhere on the engine? and should I crank hard on the rope like I want to turn it over or light?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

Remove the screw from the bottom front portion of the carburetor float chamber and check for traces of water. It's possible that the gas you purchased might have been contaminated.<br /><br />If the flywheel has been off recently and the flywheel nut was not torqued, that would result in a sheared flywheel key (jumped time).

 

[woody20]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

I will check for water in the carb also. About the flywheel, it hasn't been off not that I know of and my father-in-law says he never took it off from when he bought the boat.

 

[woody20]

Re: 1986 30HP ran then died

Well thank you from everyone that put their good word in to help me out. I looked at the boat and found the whole problem. The carbs butter fly was totally closed, and when I had someone move the throtle at the front it didn't move, BINGO, checked the throtle connect and found it disconnected from the engine. Lets just say I over looked that at the beginning of this all. Pulled it with one pulled and she sounds great again!!! Thanks