Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

[cast and blast]

Have twin 150's, starboard starts and runs nicely. Port engine will not start. It has always been a poor idle, seems to die at critical times- docking, etc.

Historically, ther has been a little oil foul on the plugs. Not terrible but some. Has always been the harder of the two to start but always started, until last week...

The ball pump on the fuel line had gone bad so I replaced it thinking the line lost vaccum. Pumped it to hard and attempted to start, no dice.

Removed filter on engine to recheck, clean and pressure on gas line confirmed.

Replaced plugs, still no fire.

Sprayed a little starting fluid (just read I sould not be doing) and it fired up. Once warm, I shut off and refired, no problem, running ok. (Other than it will still die at low rpm 600)

Once off for a couple of hours, would not restart. Re-did senario above, restarted.

Since both engines run the same gas, and it ran fine once started, I assume gas is fine.

I am thinking carbs may be the next thing but that is over my head. I would rather be buying gas than paying somebody to go through, anything else I should try before making that call?

Thanks to all for you help.

 

[snakeyes146]

Re: Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

OK, so you said "no fire", was this just a play on words, meaning it didnt' start or there was no spark??? I'm assuming that you simply meant that it didin't start?? Try this first: Take the plugs out and clean them the best you can. Install them again and try and start the engine (let it turn for a bit). When it doesnt' start, take the plugs back out and have a good look to see if they are wet , fouled or other........ If the plug looks ok, I would swap ignition modules with the other engine to troubleshoot.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

Im guessing your choke/prime isnt working based on it runs ok affter a shot of quick start .Whats your other eng idle at?sounds like problem motor is a bit low on idle.More like 800.

 

[cast and blast]

Re: Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

SE- my bad on the did not fire- just meant it sould not start. As soon as quick starter applied, it starts just fine. Tried the plug thing, they are new and look fine.

Mike- I will attempt to look at the choke/prime situation. Of course I use the choke at the key but perhaps I should try the one on the engine and see it if moves? any control bypass for this?

Swapping ignition modules is over my head (at least I ahve not done it before) and will probably be left to the dealer. In order to get it there, I have to run it approx 10 miles. If the manual choke does not work and since I do not want to use starter fluid would a little gas/oil mix sprayed right into the carb be better to get her fired up?

 

[snakeyes146]

Re: Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

Don't do the gas/oil combo, just spray some fuel in the carb if you are going to try this. If it fires right up , than you most likely have a fuel issue. Is there an inline fuel filter somewhere that you might be missing?? Is the delivery from the pump ok?? I would not suspect the carb until I exhausted all the other fuel related items, depending on what happens when you use the raw fuel in the cylinders. Were the spark plugs dry when you pulled them out again??

 

[cast and blast]

Re: Yamaha Saltwater Series 150's - 1995- 1 wont start

splashed the boat today after bottom paint in the yard. Manual choked at a the engine rather than at the key. Fired right up. Looks like choke at the key needs some work.

Going to the techs tommorow for the choke fix. Will have them check out oil mix issue and set idle a little higher.

Thanks to all for your help, you guys are great.