7.4 merc won't start after winter storage

[timharper89]

1997 rinker captiva 232.
Just replaced the gimbal bearing in my b3 outdrive and was excited to get back on the water after sitting all winter (followed the winterizing post in the adults only section), but it just cranks and cranks and will not even try to start. I took the flame arrestor off to look down the carb and saw liquid in what I THINK is the intake? I will attach a video. I did not see any fuel spraying when my wife pumped the throttle, but admittedly I don't really know what it is supposed to look like. I bought a spark tester to check that tomorrow. How do I check for fuel? And is seeing gas down the throat of the carb normal? I thought it should fall into the cylinders

 

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

1997 rinker captiva 232.
Just replaced the gimbal bearing in my b3 outdrive and was excited to get back on the water after sitting all winter (followed the winterizing post in the adults only section), but it just cranks and cranks and will not even try to start. I took the flame arrestor off to look down the carb and saw liquid in what I THINK is the intake? I will attach a video. I did not see any fuel spraying when my wife pumped the throttle, but admittedly I don't really know what it is supposed to look like. I bought a spark tester to check that tomorrow. How do I check for fuel? And is seeing gas down the throat of the carb normal? I thought it should fall into the cylinders

I have a 1993 carb'd 7.4 and for about 2 yrs my accelerator pump in my carb won't shoot jets of fuel when pumping the controller. It's probably all gummed up and needs to be rebuilt. So what I started doing was using starter fluid to get the engine started. But people frown on that so I've switched to using a jet of gas out of a syringe. It's the best I can do to emulate a carb jet. It works. I've also purchased atomizer bottles on Amazon to make the fuel atomize better but haven't had the best of luck. I wish they made Gasoline in an aerosol can; maybe mixed w. a little Marvel Mystery Oil for added lube on start up. That would be a perfect solution barring a carb rebuild.

 

[timharper89]

I don't mind rebuilding the carb of that's what is needed. I do wonder about seeing the liquid through the barrels too. Is that normal? I don't remember that being a thing in my last (4.3 merc) boat.

 

[alldodge]

How much cranking have you done?
It takes a bit of cranking to get the fuel pumped up to the carb after a winter nap.

 

[timharper89]

How much cranking have you done?
It takes a bit of cranking to get the fuel pumped up to the carb after a winter nap.

A lot?.....I would say well over a minute total cranking in 5-10 second intervals. Is the liquid seen looking down the barrels something of concern? You can see the reflection in the video in my post.

 

[cyclops222]

I am suspicious of that liquid sitting down there. Gasoline or water ? If gasoline ? you have filled the fuel lines to the carburetors You now have a difficult problem to solve. Turn off the valve that allows gasoline into the engine. Allow the puddle of gasoline to completely evaporate. Is the boat under a roof area ? Leave the engine hatch open to let gasoline fumes begin to escape.
The boat Is a gas filled explosion waiting for a electrical spark or a cigarette smoker to ignite those fumes spilling onto the floor..............Doors and windows open.
The boat area can explode if there is a electrical switch or heater in the boat area.
You have been very lucky so far. Do not do any more work in the area until the puddle evaporates and fumes are gone in engine bay.
Almost forgot. When fumes are gone next to the engine and the rest of the boat compartments. INSTALL the flame arrestor.......BEFORE .....any more engine starting is attempted. A backfire in the engine is possible
Be super careful. Good luck.

 

[alldodge]

Good grief Cyclops222, there is no gas coming out of the carb, give it a rest

A lot?.....I would say well over a minute total cranking in 5-10 second intervals. Is the liquid seen looking down the barrels something of concern? You can see the reflection in the video in my post.

Don't know if the liquid is a problem or not right now, but is unusual

Remove the fuel filter and see if there is any gas in it, it should be full

What is the motor serial number?
Do you have a belt driven fuel pump off the water pump or is it electric?

 

[bajaman123]

Did you set the choke first? You can crank on a cold engine all day and not get it to start. Now, it should cough and sputter a bit. Always have to ask, because it is SO easy to do...do you have the kill-switch lanyard on? These things are simply a logic path: it worked fine at ___X___ time/place and now does not...what changed?

 

[timharper89]

Good grief Cyclops222, there is no gas coming out of the carb, give it a rest


Don't know if the liquid is a problem or not right now, but is unusual

Remove the fuel filter and see if there is any gas in it, it should be full

What is the motor serial number?
Do you have a belt driven fuel pump off the water pump or is it electric?

I replaced the fuel filter last fall and filled it with gas when I did that. Is there a reason it might not have gas now?

Where do I find the serial number? The fuel pump is belt driven off the water pump.

 

[timharper89]

Did you set the choke first? You can crank on a cold engine all day and not get it to start. Now, it should cough and sputter a bit. Always have to ask, because it is SO easy to do...do you have the kill-switch lanyard on? These things are simply a logic path: it worked fine at ___X___ time/place and now does not...what changed?

Choke is electric. No sputtering or trying to start at all. Just cranks and cranks. Good cranking power but nothing. No kill switch lanyard that i am aware of. Last year it was hard to start for the season (my first full season with it) but it did start.

 

[timharper89]

Remove the fuel filter and see if there is any gas in it, it should be full

It has gas in it but it is about a half inch from the top. Usually it spills out when I take the filter off

 

[alldodge]

I replaced the fuel filter last fall and filled it with gas when I did that. Is there a reason it might not have gas now?

Where do I find the serial number? The fuel pump is belt driven off the water pump.

It has gas in it but it is about a half inch from the top. Usually it spills out when I take the filter off

Either the fuel pump is not working or there is a restriction
A restriction might be the antisiphon valve that the rubber fuel line connects to on top of the tank



The fuel line between antisiphon valve and fuel filter might have collapsed or the tank pickup tube might be clogged. Most probable cause in my opinion is the fuel pump or antisiphon valve

I would start with removing the valve and cleaning it.

Oh and the fuel tank does have gas in it right?

 

[cyclops222]

Does the electric choke close COMPLETELY ? If not. Then you have to do your gasoline squirting to start a cold or cooled off engine.
It is possible your float has become stuck in the wide open refill position. Due to gas drying out and refilling of the carb all winter.
First step is to get that electric choke operating correctly when cold and hot.

 

[timharper89]

Either the fuel pump is not working or there is a restriction
A restriction might be the antisiphon valve that the rubber fuel line connects to on top of the tank

View attachment 408291

The fuel line between antisiphon valve and fuel filter might have collapsed or the tank pickup tube might be clogged. Most probable cause in my opinion is the fuel pump or antisiphon valve

I would start with removing the valve and cleaning it.

What is the anti siphon valve? I'll attach a picture of the fuel lines.

Oh and the fuel tank does have gas in it right?

Yeah I filled it up in the fall... still need to figure out the issue where the fuel overflows out of the fill tube on warm days...

 

[timharper89]

Does the electric choke close COMPLETELY ?

Not sure. What do I look for too check this?
This is what i see looking down the barrel with throttle closed

 

[alldodge]

Your choke is closed, your good there

The antisiphon valve is at the end of the rubber fuel line coming from the gas filter. It's a screw in barbed fitting that the fuel line attaches to on top of the fuel tank

 

[timharper89]

Your choke is closed, your good there

The antisiphon valve is at the end of the rubber fuel line coming from the gas filter. It's a screw in barbed fitting that the fuel line attaches to on top of the fuel tank

You mean in there?

Different note, I stuck a spray bottle down the barrel and squirted the fuel out. This is what it looked like... hopefully because of the fogging oil o sprayed in during winterizing?

 

[timharper89]

There is no way I can think of to get to the anti siphon valve...it is through this 2.5 inch hole...any ideas?

 

[alldodge]

Yeah I filled it up in the fall... still need to figure out the issue where the fuel overflows out of the fill tube on warm days...

It comes out because the gas expands in the heat. Only way to stop it is don't fill it so full

There is no way I can think of to get to the anti siphon valve...it is through this 2.5 inch hole...any ideas?

Fed Regs says the fuel tank sender and fittings must be accessible. I had a 1995 rinker 232 and mine was same way, lucky for me but I never needed to get to.

Right now lets hope its just bad gas or fuel pump.
Disconnect the rubber fuel line at the filter. Get another piece of fuel line and a gas can. Connect fuel line to filter housing and stick other end in the gas can. Fill the filter full of gas and then try to crank it

Wear safety glasses

 

[timharper89]

Got it started by spraying gas in the intake with a spray bottle. Ran beautifully for 10 minutes until I turned it off. Accelerator pump maybe? Carb need rebuilt? So not sure why there was standing fuel in the intake...I will check later today when it sits for a few hours