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New boat suddenly wont start!

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mike41

New member
I bought my boat about 2 weeks ago. Its a 2000 19.6 sylvan bowrider. It's equipted with a 3.0 mercruiser. The boat was previously owned by a marine mechanic and is very clean in all respects. When I purchased the boat 2 weeks ago, I went over everything. Charged the battery (even though its only 3 months old), new spark plugs, sprayed all belts, etc. Everything is in good repair. I have the boat trailered at my house and have ran the boat 4 times since it has been home. The other day we planned on taking it out for the 1st time. Prior to launch, I ran the boat (using earmuffs) for 10 solid minutes. We brought the boat 2 miles down the road and stopped for gas on the way (89 pump gas, probably 10% ethanol). Dropped the boat in the water and will not start.

Sounds like it wants to turn over, but simply will not. The battery is solid and holding a charge. When you turn the key, all guages roll. Tried starter fluid/ether and had no luck. Checked the air filter and everything is clean. I exposed the carb and its getting fuel.

I'm nearly out of ideas. . . Could it be the fuel? That was the only change from my house to the ramp. No bolts loose or missing or anything like that.

Any help would greatly be appreciated!!!


Mike
 
could be a few things get a pair of insulated pliers pull coil wire from distributer hold it close to manafold see if you have spark if good put wire back pull off a spark plug wire and do the same good spark? put it back it should run for a second on starting fluid if you had spark at the plugs and wont start on fluid pull plugs take a look to see what they look like wet or dry if it started on fluid get a jar take off water seperating filter pour it in to the jar li=et it sit a few minuites see if it seperates showing water in fuel the ride to the ramp could have mixed up the water with the gas i hope this is not prob mabe you found something stupid good luck bcc lew
 
I would start with the simple things and check your electrical connections by removing them, cleaning and putting some dielectric grease on before refastening. If the wire looks bad replace it. Did the same thing with my boat. Turned out to be the wire from the battery to the starter, it was so corroded it was getting hot when I was trying to start the boat.
 
kill switch it will still turn over.

Stop and don;t try to start it anymore.

Take all the spark plugs out and try it then watch the hole see of water comes shooting out the holes.

If yes post back your time to save the motor is very limited.
 
checked the ignition switch and kill switch... no luck there. checked the plugs too...they're getting spark. i've already disconnected, cleaned, then reconnected nearly all wiring. is it time to start syphoning gasoline??
 
chiefalen said:
kill switch it will still turn over.

Stop and don;t try to start it anymore.

Take all the spark plugs out and try it then watch the hole see of water comes shooting out the holes.

If yes post back your time to save the motor is very limited.
Click to expand...

i will try this in the morning. hope there's no water!
 
i will be here at the puter for a while if i see your reply with water in the cylinders i will pm you my phone number i type with 2 fingers and you will need to do a few things to save the motor.
 
No water when i pulled the plugs (thankfully). checked the spark in all 4 cylinders and seems to be good. I also went over most the wiring (ignition switch, safety kill, etc.) can't see anything overly corroded, loose or missing.
 
ok so it cranks over but won't start ?

Remove the fuel hose or metal pipe from the fitting that enters the carb hold it in a can or bottle and crank it over and see if you got fuel to the carb.
 
There is fuel to the carb. I took the air filter off the other day and had a friend try starting the boat for me. While he did, I looked in the carb. You can clearly see the gas spray in. I'll try this anyways to be certain.
 
Just up****** everyone. I took the cap and rotor off again and sanded everything down to be safe. Started the boat and it turned over once but then didnt want to stay running. I did see an improvement there though. Next, I took the air filter off and played with the carb again. All temps were good and we're getting gas. The boat has an electronic/automatic choke (comparable to a 70s chevy setup----sorry the best reference i could think of) I removed the trottle cable from the carb and opened it manually. Boat starts right up. Went to autozone and picked up a new choke and we're golden. $20 part that wouldnt allow ignition. Glad it was such an affordable fix.

Thank you everyone for your input and help throughout the process!!! Much appreciated.
 
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