My boat wont start!

[supermanotorious]

I love my boat. We ran her out of gas last we used her this summer- really out of gas. I charged the battery and tried to start with no luck. Seems like the starter is working fine right? Maybe I just need to spray some starting fluid in the carb. What are your thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGkUC0KHUI

 

[Axx3d]

Go through the basics my man.. check for spark,gas,compression..

For the record.. Im in MN.. all the lakes have 20" - 28" of ice so im a bit jealous..

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Running an engine right outta gas, followed by a no start SCREAMS "The crap in the bottom of the tank got hauled into the system and bunged something up!" So... Fuel cock, lines, filter, pump, carb(s)... Check them.

Try a short shot of starter fluid (go real easy on it) or a teaspoon of fuel directly into the carb. If you get a couple of pops or even a run for a second or two, that verifies a fuel delivery issue.

Did it always crank that slowly? That SHOULD still be fast enough to fire, but it should be faster yet, IMO.

 

[OzFab]

Running an engine right outta gas, followed by a no start SCREAMS "The crap in the bottom of the tank got hauled into the system and bunged something up!"

Emphatically!

 

[landuse]

I too agree with crud being sucked into the system

 

[Denny]

Starting fluid is for old diesels only! Squirt a little gas in the carb usually the starter does not spin the engine fast enough for the fuel pump to get a good draw with a low fuel level in the tank.

Denny

 

[DeathMachine]

I usually put a pinhole in a pop bottle cap and use the bottle as a 'squeeze bottle' to squirt a little gas in the carb to prime an engine.

 

[J_Walker]

check your fuel lines. you're not using those grey ones from the boat supply place are you?

 

[Crashz28]

If it has a mechanical fuel pump it may have taken a poo on you

 

[supermanotorious]

I'm not convinced it's not the starter. This is the only sound I can get out of it now and the battery has a full charge. I think as you mentioned, it wasn't turning over fast enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00wLhd_ZaHE

 

[Badot]

Batteries can appear to have a full charge but simply not put out enough amperage as they age. Do you have any suitable batteries to try jumping it?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Most auto parts stores will load-test a battery for free. A load test is really the only reliable way of finding out whether it's really any good.

 

[supermanotorious]

There is another and much larger battery for the stereo that I can try, I did try jumping it with it with no luck.

 

[supermanotorious]

Here are some more thoughts, I did notice a little smoke coming from the engine compartment only as I tried to start the boat. I couldn't find the source to save my life. All the major battery cables are fused and I felt each of them and they weren't hot. Someone who didn't know about the smoke thought maybe the fuel pump was bad. I've run into fuel pump problems with low fuel levels before since many models use the actual fuel to cool the pump. Think it could be that simple? How does one isolate and test the fuel pump?

 

[supermanotorious]

I gotta quit being lazy, I have the tech manual and it certainly does tell you how to test the fuel pump, ugh

 

[jandj]

I agree with the battery comments.
It's cranking amps you need to check.
You can have 12.7 v @ the battery but if you ain't got no crankin' amps, she ain't gonna start!

 

[supermanotorious]

doggone it, I jumped it off the giant stereo battery again and absolutely nothing, no clicking, no turning over

 

[ML-TOYS]

Did you jump direct to starter

 

[Denny]

Now listen to me carefully.
1. Go to the bank and get many, many $$$$$$$$.
2. Remove starter from boat.
3. Go to boat store Hand the man or woman at the parts counter the starter.
4. This is the important part so pay close attention, say to counter person. May I please have a new one just like it only better.
5. If you completed steps 1-4 correctly they will hand you a new one.
6. You hand them the many, many $$$$$$$$$.
7. Go home.
8. Reinstall starter.
9. Bask in the joys of being a boat owner while enjoying your favorite beverage.

Good luck, and I hope you got a little chuckle. I don't miss my boats one bit.

Denny

 

[Axx3d]

If you think its the starter, pull it and bench test it with a known good battery.

Or if you need to get it going head to IBoats. They will get you up and running right away and are super helpful.