Yamaha T50A won't start

[Sloop John B]

My motor is a 2002 Yamaha T50A, that is, a carbureted four stroke ?high thrust? with the 14" prop. I bought it new and it has about 60 hours running time. For the last couple of years I?ve had a hard time getting the motor to start. After about 10 minutes of cranking and popping short bursts it would run and without any difficulty it restarts immediately. The following morning it would balk somewhat but start after a minute or so.

I?m not a mechanic so my simple guess is that there may be a choke somewhere that isn?t working or it?s simply not getting gas initially. I went through about 30 pages on this board and then went out to see if I could spot some kind of solenoid. Not knowing what a solenoid looks like causes a problem, and I was unable to identify anything on either side of the motor.

I had the carbs cleaned and adjusted last year for over $300 but the guy that worked on it has moved on.

I?ve called different shops that sell and service Yamaha but they?re over booked and don?t want anyone bringing a 26 foot sailboat into their yard. The advice I get is quite varied. ?It?s a prime choke, throw the throttle ahead about three times to get gas in the intake and turn the key.? Next: ?It?s an electric choke, push the key in until it fires.? Then: ?It?s a ?drip? choke, turn the key on and let it sit for about 30 seconds and then turn it.? And: ?Make sure motor?s vertical. Water is so low here (Florida) and guys can?t get these started while tilted up. It?s not an electric choke, just pump up the bulb pointing it?s exit upward and turn key.?

The motor won?t start at all. Acts the same as if I?d pulled the cut off lanyard or disconnected the gas line. I?m going to get some fresh gas and put some Seafoam in. And I?ll pull the brand new plugs and see if they spark. But I know I?m just eliminating things and it won?t solve my problem.

I?d like to locate the solenoid that?s mentioned and try and test it with a DC tester. I know some of you guys can help me with this and give me other advice.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha T50A won't start

tell ya what, you buy the correct yamaha manual and Ill try to walk ya through it.
your dealers are idiots at best, crooks at worst.

yes that motor is "prime start" means the only opererater inputs reqired to start is turning the key. if it doesnt start its freaking broke.

but nothing the above dealership replies are correct.
the T50 carbs have no means to actually pump fuel, as most 4 strokes, so pumping the throttle is like a teat on a boar.

look on the net for a real dealership. Yamaha has a dealer locator that actually employs techs.
its a very simple system it just requires maint sometimes.

please please go find a mechanic that as a minimum has the yamaha fuel,4 stroke and electrical school certificates on the wall.

 

[Guest]

Re: Yamaha T50A won't start

I've got a similar problem with my 2003 50 Hp 4-stroke. Runs good sometimes, then starts missing. Sometimes won't start. I replaced all the fittings and lines on the supply side of the fuel line thinking I had an air leak. Helped for about ten minutes then started missing again. Took it to my mechanic and he said all Yamaha 4-strokes have a tendency to do this. (WHAT!!!!) He said Yamaha recommends "Ring-Free" additive for the fuel because I run at idle more time than I run WOT. Am I being smoked or did I pick the wrong motor for my type of use?

 

[Yamajoe]

Re: Yamaha T50A won't start

As Rodbolt says, get yourself a manual and take up his offer - the F50 is a good motor.