This is quite a lengthy post…let me apologize in advance.
I went out to the marina last week to do some work on the v-berth [check this post or this one]. I’m almost finished removing the old wood now. My plan is to get the interior finished over the winter so I’ll be able to weekend liveaboard starting next spring and summer.
Part of my normal routine when I go out to work is to start the outboard motor and let it run for usually about ten minutes or so right before I finish up for the day. I like to do that so everything will stay lubricated and hopefully keep the engine from giving me problems.
Well….problems is what it gave me that day…and for several days now it has been my greatest frustration. I got the motor started and it ran fairly smoothly for about five minutes before it began sputtering and finally died. I tried starting it again and got nowhere. I checked the fuel line and gas tank. Everything looked ok there.
I took the cowling off and one thing I noticed that was different was a little wire broken. I know you’re thinking, “ahh, broken wire equals easy troubleshooting.” Not so fast, though. The wire was not an electrical wire, but was actually a piece of bailing wire that the prior owner had ‘rigged’ on some timing plate that rests below the flywheel. Apparently a prior owner had removed the tiller (which includes the integrated throttle control) and converted the throttle control to the front of the motor. The tiller controls had been attached to that timing plate (don’t know the actual name of the part). I tried to get the part re-positioned correctly, but the motor still wouldn’t start. I ended up having to leave that evening without getting it started. That, of course, frustrated my mind and occupied my thoughts for several days until I could get back out to check on it again. Of course, during the entire time I was super-frustrated. I kept thinking there was a serious (expensive) timing issue. I thought about the timing chain failure on my car (see this post). In the photo below, the part circled in red moves fore and aft as well as the little piece directly below that with a little nipple.
I had an hour to kill and since my mind was working overtime, I went to check on things again yesterday. The motor started right up as soon as I pushed the button (YES!), but ran for about two seconds and died (NO!)! Up until now, I hadn’t considered the spark plugs since the guy I bought the boat from told me he replaced them a week before I bought the boat. I decided to pull them anyway to check em out. Glad I did…both were pretty well fouled up. I didn’t have any spares with me, so I tried cleaning them up as best I could. I soaked them in some gas for a few minutes and then used a wire brush and sandpaper to try and get em shiny again. I re-installed them, but still no luck. I did notice the plugs were NGK brand and I remembered reading the recommended plugs were Champion brand.
Went to the auto parts store today and got two Champion brand spark plugs for a grand total of $8. Off to the marina, installed the plugs (which I gapped to .030) and viola! The motor started like a champ(ion). I let it run for a few minutes then shut it off. Crossed my fingers and pressed the starter button again and she roared to life. I know the fouling was an issue, but I wonder if the brand of spark plugs had anything to do with it?
Either way, my frustrations are gone (for now), but I know I still need to do some maintenance on the motor. While running, my water discharge is showing, but it’s not a really good stream, so I’m gonna replace the impeller and seals.
Anyone out there know much about outboard? Don’t know if I need to do a carb rebuild kit or not? Points? Anything else?
I’m open to advice…thanks!
Mike
When we bought our outboard 2 months ago it purred like a kitten. By the time we finally got going a month later it wouldn’t start. Turns out it’s the methanol fuel causing the problem. When we took it apart the bowl of the carb was full of sludge. We were told to be sure to use something like Sea Foam in the gas EVERY TIME. May not be your problem, but it will still apply to future problems.
Deb
S/V Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com
Thanks Deb! I’m glad you mentioned that. I had heard about the ethanol problem previously, but didn’t know there was a product like that to put in. I’ll definitely get some.
I’m following your blog too..hope your diesel engine problems are getting sorted out. Looks like y’all are enjoying everything in spite of the issues. I think that’s the key; issues will always be present, but we can only control our responses.
Champ(ion)? Groooaan….lol
Haha! I know that was kinda cheesy, but I couldn’t help myself. 🙂
I’ve been unplugging the gas line and letting the engine run until it has consumed all the gas in the carb before we leave the boat. It doesn’t take but a couple of minutes to run dry. It may be ‘tiger dust’, but so far, so good.
Before I replaced the carburetor, I was on the verge of just breaking down and getting a new propane powered outboard. Getting away from the ethanol fuel was looking like a good, but expensive, option.
That’s a great idea, Stan, and you’re not the first to suggest that. My dad mentioned that just a few days ago. Looks like that’ll be added to my mental ‘to-do’ checklist when shutting down. Thanks!
Mike
Sounds more like a carburetor/fuel issue than the plugs to me. The plugs were probably fowled due to the sludge in the fuel. Up here in MA, we are constantly fighting with our outboards because of these issues. It’s not uncommon for most of us to pull the carb and clean it every couple of months. Here would be my recommendations:
1) Use a fuel treatment for ethanol. There are several on the market. Practical Sailor has done some reviews. I can’t recommend one over the others because I haven’t done a lot of research. I just buy one and roll with it.
2) When you are going to leave the boat for several days without running the engine, follow your dad’s advice. Disconnect the fuel line and let it run out.
3) When you run it at your dock, don’t just let it idle. Rev it up and down. Make sure you are tied off well and put it in gear.
4) Do you leave the vent open on the tank? Depending on the setup, some of the issue could be water in the fuel. You might want to look into how the tank is set up. Maybe even consider a fuel/water separator.
5) Learn how to clean a carb on these outboards. If you are going to be cruising, you will be doing this often. While most cruising boats have larger diesels, most of us have outboards for our inflatables. So this problem is not going away any time soon. At this point, I can have mine off, cleaned and back on in about 20 minutes. Rebuilding is different than cleaning. Some people I know have a carb did but that requires a lot of disassembly and soaking overnight generally. I just use standard carb cleaner. One trick I learned last year was about torch tip cleaners. They look like a pack of allen wrenches in a fold out holder but much smaller. It’s great for cleaning the holes in the jet tube.
Fair winds,
Jesse
I think you’re right on there Jesse. I don’t know how long it’s been since the carb has been cleaned (or rebuilt) so I’m gonna go ahead and get the rebuild kit, since it’s only like $15 at the last site I found. I know it’s going to always be an issue while cruising too, so I’m definitely going to take your advice and learn this outboard inside and out!
I’ll check out the fuel treatment like you mentioned. Another friend motioned that also a few days ago.
I have been putting it in gear (forward and reverse) at the dock as well as varying the engine speed in neutral. Any thoughts on how long I should let it run when I’m just at the dock?
Today I went out and she started right up with no problems, took me out of and back into the harbor like a charm. Once it was warmed up pretty good, I ran it at full speed for about 20 minutes getting us out of the harbor. Once I docked after the sail, I unplugged the fuel line and let it run out. Took probably a minute and half-ish.
Glad you mentioned the fuel tank vent…I had been told to leave it open when in use. I closed it last time I left the boat and actually forgot to open the vent for today’s sail. I didn’t experience any issues…is it really necessary to have that vent open?
Thanks for the insight!