Hello everyone! We recently purchased a 2008 Yamaha F20 ESR (short shaft electric start) for a small RIB/inflatable we are restoring. I did the usual tune-up (new plugs, oil change, lower unit gear oil change, impeller/water pump change, thermostat checkup and clean, fuel line/filter check/clean) and things looked dirtier than expected but passable. It wouldn't start though. So I figured most likely a fuel issue and cleaned the carb (it was the dirtiest carb I've ever seen). Still no luck unless I tried a little starting fluid, then it would start but only for a second. I then opened the fuel pump and it was stuck with caked on grit/sand. I cleaned it but that didn't help. I replaced the fuel pump with a new one and still no luck. I have now pulled the carb two more times and cleaned more and more and again and again. Still no luck, it cranks easy but never turns over and I know not to keep trying starting fluid.
The main jet screw won't budget and the head is starting to strip so I wasn't able to pull that and clean it. But the pinhole is clear and free so I figured that might be ok?
I read on the forums that the prime starter assembly can go bad and cause hard starts. I pulled that and noticed that the plastic housing is supposed to push a spring down and part of that housing is broken but it still looked like it would function holding the spring. Hard to know if that's working or not. I read that someone said they removed it and plugged that hole and it made the motor start... thinking maybe try that next? Part of me thinks that most likely the carb was just too dirty and it probably needs a new one but I'm trying to avoid spending that kind of $$... $400+ to still not be sure of the issue.
One thing I've noticed is that in trying to start past kicker motors when I pull the start rope or the start button, one of those two lights will flicker on the motor for a second or two. I'm thinking that's the oil pressure light... but on this motor no lights flicker at all. Is that a sign of something else? Maybe a bad sensor or something? Maybe the kill switch is bad? But it did start with starting fluid which makes me still think fuel issue.
I've pulled the spark plugs and they still look like new. Which again makes me think fuel is not getting through to create the spark.
I purchased the manual and followed various steps but nothing strikes me as the simple solution. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
The main jet screw won't budget and the head is starting to strip so I wasn't able to pull that and clean it. But the pinhole is clear and free so I figured that might be ok?
I read on the forums that the prime starter assembly can go bad and cause hard starts. I pulled that and noticed that the plastic housing is supposed to push a spring down and part of that housing is broken but it still looked like it would function holding the spring. Hard to know if that's working or not. I read that someone said they removed it and plugged that hole and it made the motor start... thinking maybe try that next? Part of me thinks that most likely the carb was just too dirty and it probably needs a new one but I'm trying to avoid spending that kind of $$... $400+ to still not be sure of the issue.
One thing I've noticed is that in trying to start past kicker motors when I pull the start rope or the start button, one of those two lights will flicker on the motor for a second or two. I'm thinking that's the oil pressure light... but on this motor no lights flicker at all. Is that a sign of something else? Maybe a bad sensor or something? Maybe the kill switch is bad? But it did start with starting fluid which makes me still think fuel issue.
I've pulled the spark plugs and they still look like new. Which again makes me think fuel is not getting through to create the spark.
I purchased the manual and followed various steps but nothing strikes me as the simple solution. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Last edited:
Thanks for all your suggestions and advice.