So there was a whole series of issues cascading from a pin that had apparently fell out of the impeller at some point. I know the impeller was working as I left the boat launch the last time I used the engine. However, at some point, the engine was turning off while in drive but it would fire back up and we could ride a good 1000 feet before the engine (in hindsite) would overheat and turn off and after a minute or 2 would fire back up. We were about 5 miles from the launch and eventually gave up on starting it back up. The engine was having issues and not behaving ideally and when it started it was starting in high throttle. (eventually found that the throttle cable was seizing and once lowering the throttle, it would take time for it to return to low speed. The first thing I checked was the impeller and like I said above, I found the pin which spins the throttle was not in place when I inspected it. I replaced the impeller and I removed the head as well and replaced that gasket connecting the head and the transom. I made an error putting the head up side down which in hindsight the manual recommends not doing as oil may go into the cylinder. I was able to get the head back on and replaced all fluids: mechanical grease in the prop section, engine oil and new premium gas. ENGINE WOULD NOT START. Note: it was still starting at home prior to taking the head off and I added some silicon to the sheath for the throttle and was able to get it to move so at least I could start it at low throttle. The carberateur was a mess but I soaked it in carb cleaner fluid and used pipe cleaners with wire bristles. There was a hair stuck on the float impeding it and noticed that the spring was missing (apparently it wasn't making the engine not work since I got the motor new). Took all the plastic pieces apart from the carb and soaked it for 3 days. Put it all back together and engine would still not start. Now keep in mind, it was at least starting, overheating and dying when I got the engine back from the last trip. After now having a clean carb, new fluids and new impeller and new gasket for the head and transom, it would not start. Not with choke out, in or with dowsing the carb with carb spray; usually that would almost always work. Spark tests were fine; engine was sparking but I replaced the spark plug and the new spark was firing better than ever. I did a compression test and the engine compression was a little low (about 120 psi after cranking really hard and maybe 100 psi on a normal crank that would usully start it no problem). I think the miniumum recommended pressure for that engine was maybe 130 or 140 ish. Added butane to the spark plug hole and nothing. You could hear the engine spinning but no coughing at all. One piece of the transom had cracked but I used engine block epoxy to glue it on. I wonder if a small hole between the head will cause the low pressure? Maybe I should use a double gasket to better seal it? But I'm wondering if maybe some minor warping has occured? I'm lost here!!! HELP!
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