Issues with Larson 18ft volvo penta 4.3gl Unable to get it started Help Please

[ivancunningham]

I am having issues with getting the boat started, I figured last week before I put the boat in the water after about a 2 year stand still being the boat was my fathers whom past. I wanted to put it into the water but before I would do it. I figured I would change the oil/filter, lower unit lube/propeller do to heavy knicks in the prop. before I did this, I tried to turn it on, and it started up, I then changed everything took the boat to our campground and tried it again before putting it into the water it started and after a few minutes it shut down, the battery didn't want to crank so I bought 2 batteries a starting battery and a deep cycle battery. so 2 new batteries went to camp today with new batteries. turned blower on waited a minute and turned it over and the battery seems to work but the boat isn't turning over any ideas on what I need to look at next. I have a Volvo penta 4.3gl I/O stern drive motor. I also added sta-bil to the fuel and topped it off with new gas.

 

[bunker108]

Re: Issues with Larson 18ft volvo penta 4.3gl Unable to get it started Help Please

First you are starting it on muffs to get water to the lower unit right?

The three things you need for a motor to run are compression, fuel and spark. So the process begins to see which one you don't have.

Was the boat properly winterized prior to your fathers passing?
What is the mechanical history of the boat?
Was it running when parked?

Worst case scenario is a cracked block or heads due to not being winterized properly. So check compression.

Most likely scenario is a gummed up throttle body/carb due to old gas. So check that you are getting fuel and the pump and filter are primed.

If you are getting fuel and have compression, ignition is your next step. This is arguably the most complex system of the three to trouble shoot. I would start with a spark tester which simply installs between the spark plug and plug wire. If it flashes you got spark.

I hope this gets you started. And it is not overwhelming if you are systematic about it. I am certain that others more knowledgable that me will chime in also.

 

[ivancunningham]

Re: Issues with Larson 18ft volvo penta 4.3gl Unable to get it started Help Please

I apologize yes I am most definatly using muffs.