Trouble Starting...

[modiddy]

Hey guys...I am having issues starting the boat. I originally thought it may have been the battery b/c I hooked a charger up to it and it had less that 15% charge. Well now it's at about 100% and I'm still getting nothing when I hit the the start buttons...When nothing happens, I get into the bilge and remove the spark plug cables from the plugs, rub the top of the plugs and replace the cables..sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When I do get it running, the engines idle +/- 1500 rmp and they run strong wide open no issues...but then I will cut off the engines, to swim or what not, and they won't cut back on until after a few minutes...

I replaced the plugs on the left engine (only had two sitting around..I have two more coming for the right), which seemed to help out at first, but now the problem is back (this has been a recent development).

Today I got the boat running and it was doing great, after about 15 mins I was bringing her back to the dock at idle and after being in idle for about 1 min, the boat cut out and wouldn't cut back on no matter what I tried...I had to paddle in.

What else could it be? Even if the battery is showing a charge, could that be the problem? I use ethanol free gasoline with seam foam and sta-bil, I clean the fuel filters everytime before I take the boat out...

 

[Dr Honda]

It's hard to say from your description.

You say that you charged the battery... and then you get "Nothing." Does that mean it won't crank, or is it just not starting?

What do the plugs look like? are they just dark, or are they dripping wet?

Personally, SeaFoam doesn't do anything... so stop putting it in the fuel.


Start with checking the compression, and report back with what you get.

3 times this summer, I've had people tell me they had running problems, and thought it was fuel related, but once they got to my shop, the engine was dead. (very low compression)

 

[modiddy]

It's hard to say from your description.

You say that you charged the battery... and then you get "Nothing." Does that mean it won't crank, or is it just not starting?

What do the plugs look like? are they just dark, or are they dripping wet?

Personally, SeaFoam doesn't do anything... so stop putting it in the fuel.


Start with checking the compression, and report back with what you get.

3 times this summer, I've had people tell me they had running problems, and thought it was fuel related, but once they got to my shop, the engine was dead. (very low compression)

By nothing I mean, I hit the start button and nothing happens...no cranking, nothing...

The plugs were dark, a little too dark so I changed them out...and they were not wet from what I recall...

And as far as compression...I had 140 across the board 3 weeks ago when I got it looked at...my question is, how can I do a compression test if I can't even get the start button working...does that make sense?

 

[Dr Honda]

By nothing I mean, I hit the start button and nothing happens...no cranking, nothing...

The plugs were dark, a little too dark so I changed them out...and they were not wet from what I recall...

And as far as compression...I had 140 across the board 3 weeks ago when I got it looked at...my question is, how can I do a compression test if I can't even get the start button working...does that make sense?

Thanks for the clarification.

I would start by disconnecting all the main power cables, cleaning the ends, and putting them back on. I have seen it a bunch of times where the cables are dirty, and not making a contact.

After that... if it still won't start, but you know there is a charge in the battery... jump the solenoid to see if it will crank. If it does... you may need a solenoid. If it doesn't... then your starter is dead.

 

[modiddy]

Thanks for the clarification.

I would start by disconnecting all the main power cables, cleaning the ends, and putting them back on. I have seen it a bunch of times where the cables are dirty, and not making a contact.

After that... if it still won't start, but you know there is a charge in the battery... jump the solenoid to see if it will crank. If it does... you may need a solenoid. If it doesn't... then your starter is dead.

10-4...I will try all that as soon as I get home. Will I need any dielectric grease?

Also, how do I jump the soleniod exactly?

I really appreciate all your help!

 

[modiddy]

Ok so I have an update...

Got home and this is what I did:

Cleaned all connections to battery and terminals
Made sure battery had a charge
replaced all spark plugs and made sure they had correct gaps

Hit the start and still nothing...so this may sound dumb, but i shook the cables that connect to the starter since I can't get down and see the starter...tried once again, and the engines started cranking...after a couple mins of trying ( i think i put too much carb cleaner in the carbs ) the left engine would start running...then the right (after about a min of trying)...rev'd up...sounded strong...i cut them off, let it sit for a min...tried again...it struggled for a few seconds, then the left engine cut on after i increased the throttle a bit...then same for the right engine...i repeated a couple times, cut off then cut on...only once did they cut on smoothly...then when I was going to try it for the 5th time...nothing, again...no cranking no sounds...it has to be the starter, right?

Also, I did my 1st compression test myself and I got 125 psi in both cylinders in the left engine (engine orientation when sitting in drivers seat) and 130 in both cylinders on the right engine...if my carb filters are dirty, would that affect the compression?

I have friends coming up on saturday and i would really love to have the boat running 100%...any other ideas??

 

[modiddy]

Bueller?...