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John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/05/2006 : 15:24:27

Well, I have been away from for work since early March. I had been hoping to get my boat in the water this week and leave it in for the month of September. Ah, the best layed plans...

I finally got all the teak reinstalled, the teak plugs in and about 5 coats of varnish on them. yesterday was to be the (plugs and motor day), where I would install the teak plugs, varnish the plugs, and clean/test the outboard, before having the marina put me in the water. Muprhy paid a visit and kept me from rememering the combination to the locks on my cockpit storage compartment, where the outboard gastank is! So, the day was spent on wood and varnish.

Today, the marina owner was back to work and he graciously allowed me to see the paperwork I filled out when I brought the boat there last year, and sure enough, there was the combination that I swore I would never forget!!!! (I bought keyed locks last night).

Well, I tried and tried and tried to get that old '84 Mariner 9.9 to start today and it would not go!! Tried new plugs, new fuel, tore the carb off and clean it all, still no go!!! Have a blister starting on my right hand from pulling the starter!!! Tomorrow I will have another go at it.

Any insight into troubleshooting an outboard motor is greatly appreciated!!!!

FYI, the old plugs were fouled. I cleaned and reinstalled, then tried new plugs. Not sure if I have spark or not. Engine does not give any hint of starting.

'84, C-25, SR/FK, #4663, "ILLUSIONS", Chazy, NY (Lake Champlain)
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/illusions

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 17:38:15

The first thing I would check is the fuel line. Look closely at each connection and fitting in the fuel line. Look for a leak, and especially for cracks in the hose where the hose connects to a fitting. Also, check the pump bulb for cracks.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 19:05:23

I set my combination locks to the sail number of my boat, it is written on the silver plate on the transom so I always have the number at hand.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 19:34:27

Is there a kill switch (stop switch) clip that needs to be inserted into the engine stop switch in order for the engine to start and run? Honda's have that, and if this clip is not inserted the engine will not start.

Naw, this has never happened to me!

Well, actually my first year of sailing and before I owned a sailboat, I rented a 250 in San Diego and on the way in I had to call the rental facility to instruct me on how/where to insert that little red clip. My wife will not let me forget that one!

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 08:58:54

No kill switch with lanyard. BUT, my motor does have the electronic starter, and an orange kill switch. I know that when I ran it last year, the idle was set high enough that you could not shut the engine off by throttling down. You had to push in the kill switch and hold it. Maybe that switch is shorting out???

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 09:36:07

To build on Steve's advice, I would change the fuel connector if that has not been done (about $7). If the o-ring in there is bad it will suck air rather than gas.

Also, check your fuel mixture knob if you have one. Make sure it is turned up to a high setting.

While performing a rescue this spring my wife adjusted everything on the motor trying to kill it while I threw a life ring to a capsized sailor.

I messed with many things before noticing the fuel mix was about off. The plugs, connector and fuel all needed work anyway. It also improved my skills for sailing on and off the mooring

The kill switch sounds like a good candidate as well.

Hope one of these ideas get you started.

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 09:37:10

I messed with many things before noticing the fuel mix was about off. The plugs, connector and fuel all needed work anyway. It also improved my skills for sailing on and off the mooring

The kill switch sounds like a good candidate as well.

Hope one of these ideas get you started.

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 18:57:35

Thanks for the replies.

I ordered the carb rebuild kit and should recieve it on Friday. tomorrow, I will try again and look closer at the kill switch. Also, anyone know of an easy way to check spark on an outboard when working along??

If I can not get it running, then it goes to the shop and I will spend the remaining time cleaning the boat. At least it will go to sleep for the winter clean.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 20:31:02

What a bummer, John.
Is your fuel fresh? Are your filters clean?

I don't know for sure how to check for spark on your motor. We have done that on other motors by removing the plug cap and shoving a small length of insulated wire into it, then holding the other end of the wire close to a ground, while cranking.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 22:51:09

John,
Harbor Freight sells a spark checker that you plug into your plug cable and will indicate if you are receiving electricity to your plugs. It is part # 4424-4VGA and sells for $3.99. You can probably find something similar at any auto parts store. I usually pull a plug and spray some carb cleaner or starting fluid in the cylinder. Replace the plug and give the engine a few pulls. If it starts and stops or tries to, you can be reasonably assured you have spark and can concentrate on the fuel delivery system.

Usually the kill switch is nothing other then a short to ground that is activated when you push the switch. Pull the cover off and you can probably follow the leads to where it connects to the engine frame. Disconnect it and try to start it again. If you have a Voltage/Ohm meter you can verify its functionality by measuring across the switch. You should have infinite resistance when it is not pushed and close to zero resistance when it is pushed. Good luck!

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 12:34:08

Well, things got better! I bought a rebuild kit and installed it, then gave a small shot of starting fluid, and she started right up! But wouldn't you know that Murphy was right there to show me how I partially tore the outter diaphragm on the fuel pump (and of course, the carb kit did not include the pump parts!). So it ran, but has a small (pissser) leak of fuel.

Boat was launched on Friday and I sailed to the marina with the 150% only. took about 2 hrs and was a great day!

Went back out yesterday for about 4 hrs.

Thanks to all for the advice!

John.

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