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My Motor Won't Start

D

DWL56

New member
Hi Folks,

I own a 1999 Mariner 4 hp outboard. I bought it two years ago and have never used it until now. I put new gas in it and even some stabilizer . The plug looks ok and I can't get it to start. I tried to choke it and still no luck. Is there a trick to these little motors?

What else can I check?

Thanks,

DWL56
 
Have you ever personally seen this motor run?

Was it prepped for storage - carb removed and emptied out, cylinder fogged, gear oil replaced etc or was it simply "put away".

Was it serviced before you got it? What is it's maint history??

If the answer to any/all of the above is NO or I don't know then you have a fair bit of work before this motor is ever going to start.

It could include but not be limited to:

Complete carb service - most likely a rebuild

Complete water pump service

Replace the gear oil in the lower unit

Decarb the cylinder and possibly un-gum the reeds.

Think of it like a car - if you had picked up a 1999 model 2 years ago and left it in the driveway until now, do you think a fresh tank of gas would be all it needs to fire up and run fine?

The motor needs to be brought back to life in a meticulous manner.

If you can do the work yourself, pick up a Seloc's manual and start into it. If you require the service of a dealer, get a quote first. The cost of bringing her back to life may be prohibitive (upwards of a grand for what I described above)...
 
If the above doesn't do it, try some starter fluid (ether). Lots of times that is the only way to get 'em going.

Jeff
 
fastjeff said:
If the above doesn't do it, try some starter fluid (ether). Lots of times that is the only way to get 'em going.

Jeff
Click to expand...

You should never use starting fluid to get an engine running. He has an engine that sat for two years. It needs carb work.
 
Use SeaFoam spray or WD-40...both have oil and ignite quite easily. Make sure you have a good spark plug in the engine. Then squirt some...2-3 second spray...into the carb throat then pull to start. If it tries to start then fuel delivery is where I would start to check. As stated the carb will need a rebuild. You also need to replace the impeller since it is highly likely that it is overdue for a change. Change the gear oil while you are at it. Remove the prop and inspect the shaft seal. If you see fishing line sticking out the seal needs to be replaced. Grease the shaft w/water resistance grease and reinstall the prop.
 
..."You should never use starting fluid to get an engine running. He has an engine that sat for two years."

He's tried hard to start it, which means the interior is LOADED with oil. The starting fluid will NOT damage a thing under these conditions, and may even get it going.

Jeff
 
Jeff, that's assuming that the oil/gas got through the carb in the first place. If the main jet was plugged solid then he sprayed the fluid into a "dry" crankcase...
 
fastjeff said:
..."You should never use starting fluid to get an engine running. He has an engine that sat for two years."

He's tried hard to start it, which means the interior is LOADED with oil. The starting fluid will NOT damage a thing under these conditions, and may even get it going.
Click to expand...

........ Ok :)
 
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