Challenger - One Engine won't start...

[jimatsamrayburn]

Was crusing around all weekend until yesterday morning when the starboard engine (believe its the 717) wouldn't start...cranks but doesn't start. I've had it out once or twice a month this winter so it really hasn't been sitting long.

Checked the fuel filter and it had fuel in it...fairly clean too.

I limped back to the ramp and when I got it home I pulled the flame blocker screen and sprayed starter fluid down it. I also pulled the spark plugs and put some down into the cylinders.

The engine cranks and then at some point pops then stops cranking. I have to hit the starter button again to get it going. Its almost as if it sparks once.

I checked for spark on the plugs and that was fine.

Besides not starting the only other odd thing I noticed is that it doesn't appear to be flooding even though I've throttled it a bunch...should have gas pooling up in the carb.

Going to get a compression tester on it this weekend.

Anything else I can check?

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

 

[kustomkarl]

Have you changed the spark plugs ? Don't spray starter fluid in the engine as it has no lubrication value to it. Use gas and oil mixture as a premix if you need to. Use the same oil from the injector. Check the compression ...and see if the fuel spits out the carbs when cranking her over.

Karl

 

[jimatsamrayburn]

Thanks!

Plugs are a month old. I didn't notice gas in the carb so I am suspi ious it's a fuel issue. Should have been flooded.

I'll put some premix in and see if it starts for a bit then cuts out.

I guess I need to look and the manual and see what I can pull apart in the fuel system an check.

 

[jimatsamrayburn]

A few more questions...

OK...

The guy I had looking at the plugs (on the lake) while I hit the starter said there was spark...and there is none. So no spark...

I did get a compression tester and all is well at 140psi in both cylinders.

So the shop manual says check the rev limiter and the ignition coil.

The manual says the rev limiter can be jumped. Anyone tried this safely?

Also the ignition coil says it needs a harness to test it...is there a homemade remedy for this tester?

 

[timmyboy76]

1 syptom

think your boat, is the 1800, right (2) 110's. Know it be a PITA, but pull the mag cover from motor, and seee if the "pickup" coil is hang'n in there. More than often, no spark can be contributed to the bracket that holds the coil, has broke from the inner cover. It may, after doing test on the wires, fall into spec, but its broke inside...

Found another idea to try as well, the white wire going to the coil, remove it, and with a 12v test lighter, put clip end to neg. batt. post, and probe the white wire, and then hit start button. If it "flickers" then you know you got power going to the coil, if not, then the coil, aint being told to fire......(last paragraph quoted from "guru")

 

[jimatsamrayburn]

Thanks TimmyBoy for your reply.

It's a Challenger with two 717s

I put a volt meter on (the positive was connected and then grounded the negative) yesterday and it was getting volts (8-13ish volts)...just like the other engine so your confirming my suspision its the coil.

Hope they are not too expensive...

 

[jimatsamrayburn]

That appear to have been the problem. Got a spark so the boat started...

Just hope there wasn't something else that was going wrong that would cause it to burn out...

Thanks for everyone's assistance...ready now to teach the kids to ski this summer.