Motor quit and won't start...advice

[catman529]

35 hp merc electric start (1985) cranked up fine at the marina. I knew my primer bulb had a leak so I bought a new one at the marina but didn't put it in. Motor ran fine and I got it up on plane and was about 1/2 of the 3 mile trip to camp. The motor just died and I came to a stop. The bulb had lost pressure so I replaced it with the new one. Motor wouldn't start and I could smell gas from the carb so I figured it was flooded. Got a ride to camp and let the motor sit a while and tried and it won't start. Tried several times and even shot some starter fluid into the carb. Is the needle maybe stuck? Can't figure out how to remove the bowl - hardly any room to even get my hand in there. The motor ran like a top with no problem until it suddenly died half way across the lake. I'm at camp on dale hollow and need to figure this out - any advice appreciated.

 

[Dbllunger]

Choke stuck in on position?

 

[catman529]

Choke stuck in on position?

choke is fine. Motor ran perfect, no sputtering or anything. Was cruising along nicely and it just quit. Been talking to mudbone and he thinks the needle is stuck.

 

[RUGER]

I would say needle stuck or maybe trash from the inside of the bulb and gas line breaking down?

Man I sure hate that.

 

[huntintn]

Did it run on the starting fluid?

 

[drawalot]

It could be a couple of things that I can think of. It sounds like you're not keeping pressure from the bulb. Check your connection first for leaks. If you don't have a leak make sure that the arrow on the bulb is pointed down when you're pumping it up. If your bulb is firm before you crank you might also need to check the air flow on your gas tank itself, you might be losing pressure there. If the motor was running well before, it sounds like a pressure problem. If you had trash in the gas it should of been cutting out some before. It may take some tinkering but it doesn't sound serious.

 

[catman529]

Gas is getting into the carb no problem. Primes up tight and no leaks.

We pulled one of the spark plugs and tested for spark and it doesn't seem to be hitting. Hopefully only a loose connection. Tryin to figure it out... Can't find a kill switch. There's some kind of black ground wire or something that is frayed in one spot down to just a few strands. Could that be a problem? Hopefully it's a connection and the ignition hasn't gone bad...

 

[RUGER]

Does it turn over when you hit the key?

Sounds like a fouled plug if so.

 

[catman529]

It cranks just fine, but won't hit

 

[RUGER]

Sounds like a fouled plug dude.

 

[woodyard]

See if you have fire to the plugs. Screwdriver in end of plug wire and hold about 1/8 inch from cylinder head or other metal and turn engine over.

 

[Woodson223]

Replace or check your coil wire

 

[Hunter 257W]

See if you have fire to the plugs. Screwdriver in end of plug wire and hold about 1/8 inch from cylinder head or other metal and turn engine over.

I agree. You have to find out if you have spark or not before going any further. If you don't have any spark, you can wear yourself out chasing all sorts of gremlins that aren't the real problem. When Catman says it spins over but doesn't hit, that sure sounds like there is no spark to me.

 

[catman529]

I fixed a frayed ground wire but still wouldn't get a spark.

Finally found where the kill switch would be. 2 wires clipped off along the main wire that goes to the key start and battery. The frayed ends were touching so I separated them.... Motor started and runs fine now. Thanks all for the advice.

 

[DaveB]

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!! Catman, perseverance is a good trait!! When it cranked, did you dance all over the place or just bow your head??

 

[KENBOB10]

I'm glad you got it going! Them things can be aggravating!

 

[Bone Collector]

fouled plug is what it sounds like to me. It happens to my boat from time to time. I carry extras with me.....

 

[RUGER]

Sure am glad you got it going man.

 

[Dbllunger]

Good job Cat

 

[Crosshairy]

I guess you're going to add electrical tape and wire stripping pliars to your tackle box? Nicely done

 

[Winchester]

Good deal and have fun!

 

[catman529]

Motor has been running fine all over the lake today. Only problem is it doesn't want to idle. But I put some sea foam in when I filled the tank back up. It did sit for a year or two before I put it to use. Thanks again ruger for passing it on.