I acquired the engine with a boat a few years ago.* It was not cared for over the years and I have been slowly refurbishing it while enjoying it and learning about boating.* The engine has always made a lot of noise internally and I always assumed that I’d do a rebuild at some point.* Im an aircraft mech (A&P) and have built, modified, and repaired hundreds of motocross engines over the years…but I do not have any experience with outboards (I am not a know it all by any means…lol).
So last month my outboard finally gave up even though it still ran, it wouldn’t get the boat on plane.* Compression was never good (as long as I had owned it) but last check it was 70psi top and bottom and 0psi middle.* I figured I’d do the rebuild myself and have a friend who could bore the case for me.* So while trying to disassemble the powerhead, the head bolts were snapping like candy canes.* After the first 3 broke, I decided that I did not have the capability to either heat the case to remove the broken bolts and drill them all out, so I decided to treat myself and just buy a remanufactured powerhead and start fresh.* I ended up getting one through iboats and it showed up a few days after I purchased it and was an easy and pleasant buying experience.
So I did the swap and install and started the engine in my driveway on the hose.* It fired up at the first turn of the key and sounded great….smooth and idled great.* I idled for about 10 minutes and turned it off and checked over everything for leaks and re-tourqued some of the head bolts.* Re-started and it was fine...…ran for another 10 minutes at idle.
I took it to the marina to start break in and idled out into the river with small increases in throttle as per break in instructions.* After about 10 minutes it died like I turned off the ignition.* No sputter or pick up in revs….just died. It would not re-start.* It took me about 5 minutes to takes the plugs out and wipe them and re-prime the bulb.* Then it started right up and ran for about 5 minutes and would not start. I did the same thing over again (wiped the plugs and it re-primed the bulb) and it re-started.* So I headed back to the marina and got about an hour total on idle for break in.* Once near the marina, I increased throttle and got it on plane and figured I’d do some ovals near the marina and get some more break in time.* It ran for about 20 more minutes and died suddenly again….no rise in rpm, not sputter, just died like I turned the ignition off.
So I took it home and this is what ive checked so far:
removed the carbs and went through the carbs and fuel system.* Carbs are good – jets clear, floats working, valves seating, no blockages.
I squeezed the bulb with the carbs off and verified that the fuel line/filter was not obstructed.* Fuel flowed freely through the lines.
Removed the wiring from the terminal blocks, switch box, cannon plug, etc and cleaned any bit of corrosion and then reinstalled.
I restarted last night and it ran for about 2 minutes in my driveway and died just like before.* It will not restart right away, but after a few minutes it fires up and runs great for another few minutes and then does it all over again.
I have no experience with outboards so maybe it’s something obvious or common?* Could it be the pulse fuel pump?* What I don’t understand it that it dies like the ignition is turned off.* In my experience, typically if starved for fuel, you will see a little rmp increase as it leans out and then dies.
It always re-starts after a period of a few minutes.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
*
So last month my outboard finally gave up even though it still ran, it wouldn’t get the boat on plane.* Compression was never good (as long as I had owned it) but last check it was 70psi top and bottom and 0psi middle.* I figured I’d do the rebuild myself and have a friend who could bore the case for me.* So while trying to disassemble the powerhead, the head bolts were snapping like candy canes.* After the first 3 broke, I decided that I did not have the capability to either heat the case to remove the broken bolts and drill them all out, so I decided to treat myself and just buy a remanufactured powerhead and start fresh.* I ended up getting one through iboats and it showed up a few days after I purchased it and was an easy and pleasant buying experience.
So I did the swap and install and started the engine in my driveway on the hose.* It fired up at the first turn of the key and sounded great….smooth and idled great.* I idled for about 10 minutes and turned it off and checked over everything for leaks and re-tourqued some of the head bolts.* Re-started and it was fine...…ran for another 10 minutes at idle.
I took it to the marina to start break in and idled out into the river with small increases in throttle as per break in instructions.* After about 10 minutes it died like I turned off the ignition.* No sputter or pick up in revs….just died. It would not re-start.* It took me about 5 minutes to takes the plugs out and wipe them and re-prime the bulb.* Then it started right up and ran for about 5 minutes and would not start. I did the same thing over again (wiped the plugs and it re-primed the bulb) and it re-started.* So I headed back to the marina and got about an hour total on idle for break in.* Once near the marina, I increased throttle and got it on plane and figured I’d do some ovals near the marina and get some more break in time.* It ran for about 20 more minutes and died suddenly again….no rise in rpm, not sputter, just died like I turned the ignition off.
So I took it home and this is what ive checked so far:
removed the carbs and went through the carbs and fuel system.* Carbs are good – jets clear, floats working, valves seating, no blockages.
I squeezed the bulb with the carbs off and verified that the fuel line/filter was not obstructed.* Fuel flowed freely through the lines.
Removed the wiring from the terminal blocks, switch box, cannon plug, etc and cleaned any bit of corrosion and then reinstalled.
I restarted last night and it ran for about 2 minutes in my driveway and died just like before.* It will not restart right away, but after a few minutes it fires up and runs great for another few minutes and then does it all over again.
I have no experience with outboards so maybe it’s something obvious or common?* Could it be the pulse fuel pump?* What I don’t understand it that it dies like the ignition is turned off.* In my experience, typically if starved for fuel, you will see a little rmp increase as it leans out and then dies.
It always re-starts after a period of a few minutes.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
*
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