Force 40 Wont start

[juniorbb95]

I brought a boat about 3 months ago and have enjoyed it until last week. The outboard motor is a Mercury Force 40 and will not start. First of all I washed the boat the day prior to taking it on the water due to I go stuck on some dirt in low water. The next day when I put the boat on the water it started just fine but when I moved the throttle down It lost power and sputtered like it was not getting any fuel and eventually stopped and have not restarted since. So far I have taken the carb off and used some carb cleaner and replaced the fuel filter and it still wont start. I have a commander 3000 panel mount remote control and the switch is in the up position. Anyone have an answner to get the motor started?

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Force 40 Wont start

You need to do a compression test first to even have an idea where to start. With bad compression, there is nothing else to do except to fix the compression first. If compression is OK, then check for sparks and then the fuel system. Invest in a $5 in-line spark tester it makes troubleshooting for sparks very easy. As for the fuel system that should be easy as you only need to do a visual. but then it's even easier if install a see-thru fuel filter between the discharge side of the fuel pump and the carb. Again another $5 investment well worth its price.

 

[scottmm73]

Re: Force 40 Wont start

+1 on Jiggz' comment.