Please help with Merc 40 suddenly not firing

[Smythley]

Ok guys, I need some help. Ive got a mid 90s Tracker by Mercury Marine 40 hp, 2 cyl., 2-stroke, electric start. It's serial number starts with GE175... I think. It is really hard to read. It looks like a model ending with ELP. Again, best I can make out. It's a Tracker Force Power Series by Mercury Marine 40 horse.

About a month ago, I put the boat in, cranked it and it ran fine. Yesterday, I decided to take my daughter fishing. Before I left the house, I turned the key, and it fired and ran for a few seconds. Shut it off and went to get gas...

Backed down the ramp, and it won't start...

It turns over just fine, and is getting fuel. My initial thought is that something rattled loose, but have no clue what to look for first. I inspected for wires that had come unconnected, but don't see any.

Any thoughts? If a specific part, would you mind describing it so I know what I'm looking at/for?

Thanks again.

 

[galamb]

You have to start by determing "what is missing" in the equasion.

If you are sure it's getting fuel then start by using a timing light to check for spark.

If you have no spark then you troubleshoot the ignition system systematically.

If you do have spark then you go back to the fuel system.

Even if you are getting fuel to the carb it doesn't mean "it's getting through" - you could have a clogged carb even though it fired up a couple of minutes earlier.

You can take guesses/advice and swap out many costly parts and maybe get lucky or you can grab a manual and start troubleshooting.

The fact that it won't start could be caused by dozens of issues....