Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

[cschaul1]

hey guys, my engine is not starting. i have replaced the starter, cables and batter in order to get to the point where i am at right now. i have the engine turning over fairly well. i think it is fast enough to start. i pulled the plugs and it turned over very rapidly. i believe that indicates that the motor is not seized and the outdrive is not seized. the boat has sat for 2 years before i got it. where would you guys recommend i start looking in order to systematically diagnos this situation. i am new to mechanics but have been picking up on it a lot due to this forum and a car related forum i frequent. any help is much appreciated. <br />corey

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

Fresh Gas?<br />Plugs have anything on them?<br />Can of quick engine start?

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

DO NOT use starting fluid. If it won't start on gas, there's a problem.<br />Pour a little gas in the carb to prime it if you need.<br />Since you have been cranking it, did you check for spark? Do you have any.<br />Does gas squirt into the throttle bores when you operate the throttle. IF so, then you are getting gas, and if you have spark, it should start.

 

[cschaul1]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

thanks don, i thought it would be a bad idea to use start fluid since i have read a lot of posts where it is not highly advocated. i was reading on wikipedia on how carbs work and i thought that would be a good idea, priming the carb that is. tomorrow morning i will check the carb to see if it is squirting gas and i will check for spark. i am willing to bet that i am missing spark as a few spark plugs didnt look too good when i removed them. my only concern after i fix those problems is the possibility of bad compression because of some slight corrosion on a few plugs. thanks for your help i will let you guys know what happens tomorrow. <br />corey

 

[KRS]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

corrosion <br />can you post a picture of the plugs?<br /><br />Is the boat new to you... or did you have it two years ago when it was put up?

 

[Igofaster13]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

Start with a compression test, then if thats good do a full tune up - points, condenser, plugs, cap, roter. Then check your gas - maybe run a secondary fuel tank. I am having the same problem and have not figured it out yet.

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

Definitely check the simpler things that Igo mentioned - cap and rotor, etc. - before you start suspecting fuel and compression. Even bad gas will give you some kind of sputtering attempt at firing if your ignition system is okay. It'd be a good idea to check your coil output, too; if the coil is kaput, all else is for naught.

 

[waterdog85170]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

check for spark. if none, my first check is lower shift cable(if it drags, interrupt switch stays open).

 

[cschaul1]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

well i have some bad news. i did a compression test before anything. i had always had the suspicion that due to the corrosion on the plugs on the port side of the engine that there would be compression issues. starboard plugs were all right around 125ish and the ports ranged from 40 -110 or so if i remember correctly. i guess that i am going to have to attempt to rebuild the engine. thank you all for the helpful responses.<br />corey

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

May just be a blown head gasket on one side.

 

[cschaul1]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

the engine was rebuilt before i picked up the boat. it was never really used at all since the rebuild so it seems like the head gasket should be fine. i am suspecting water leakingin through the exhaust or risers and that the cylinder walls are scored and corroded along with the rings. a couple have mentioned checking valves which is something i am going to start with.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Engine not starting, need recommendations on where to begin

Cobra 3.0 has a very good point,<br />I *** U ME D that the motor was sound<br />before storing.<br />Only in your inspection testing will<br />the truth of the matter be found.<br />I hope it is just some surface rust, and <br />not a major failure.