I'm a newbie, help!!!

[jaymillikan]

Hey all....

I just recently purchased a 1985 Bayliner with a Force 85 hp on the back. It hasn't run in two years, and the boat's shot. I basically bought it for the motor. It cranked slowly when I looked at it (low battery, no doubt) and when I got it home and removed the spark plugs it turned freely. I'm waiting for my compression tester to be returned to me so I can take some readings, but for $200 I couldn't go wrong. I'm looking for any advice to help make this go as easily as it can. My goal is to get it up and running ASAP because I have another hull to put it on. I'm figuring I should take the carbs apart and clean them first, then worry about trying to start it. I did notice the spark plug wire ends are badly worn, but I don't see a way to replace them without replacing each coil pack. I'll shut up for now and let anyone answer what I've got here so far. Thanks again for your help! Jay

 

[noah4009]

Re: I'm a newbie, help!!!

Hi Jay Welcome
I am not no where as knowlegdeable as the other guys here like, Frank, JB, Euro etc. But the first thing they always told me was to get the manuals on my motor. And in your post they will need you to include Model number of your engine. You should find it on a plate attached to motor. This way when they get to your thread they will have what they need to answer. Goodluck

 

[eurolarva]

Re: I'm a newbie, help!!!

Dont carb clean yet. As noah mentioned get a manual. If not buy one try your public library. Clymer is pretty good and Seloc is better then nothing. What you want to do is find problem areas and fix those then advance to the next area. Because this is an unknown compression and spark testing should be first. If you fail compression you may not want to go any farther. My thinking on carb cleaning is if it is not done correctly it is not worth doing and if you are going to do it correctly you should put a new kit in each one.

Start with the compression. Look as spark plug tips to see un even burn. Clean plugs usually indicate a problem cylinder or damaged head gasket. Starter turning slowly could be a old or week battery or dirty and loose connections or a faulty starter. Before investing in a new battery I would try and clean all electrical connections with a fine sandpaper or file including grounds. Make sure all connections are tight. If the starter turn is still week try to find a way to jury rig your car battery to the starter. This can be a problem because surface connection is important. The more area the cable is in contact with the battery leads the less voltage you will loose to contact resistance. If you have a volt meter test your battery a day after you charge it. If it is under 12.4 VDC the battery is toast.

If compression is good and spark is good then try and start it in a water tank and see if water flows out the back. If no water in the first minute kill the motor and start looking at the cooling system. If motor wont start or tries to start post your results here.

Also never crank for more then 5 seconds and you should have the lower unit in water at all times when starting or running the motor so the impeller stays wet.

 

[jaymillikan]

Re: I'm a newbie, help!!!

Thanks for the input! I will let you know how it goes! I'm out of town this week but plan on spending the weekend working on it. I have a Clymer manual and I have figured out that mine is a 1985 model. We'll go from there!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: I'm a newbie, help!!!

With an unknown engine--and this is unknown since you have no history on it--ASSUME that everything that can be out of adjustment is, and anything that can be worn also is. So after you check compression and spark, try starting the engine. BUT BEFORE you run it for anything but a starting test, use the Clymer and synchronize carbs and timing. Then if it starts, idles, and runs satisfactorily on muffs in the driveway--do not run long enough to overheat--replace the water pump impeller and fuel pump (diaphragm and gasket). Put a cheap filter between the fuel pump and carbs. Then replace the lower unit oil. Now you are ready to test run on the boat.

If compression is good, (145 is factory new, anything over 100 is acceptable) then you will have a fun job and derive satisfaction setting up the engine.

HINT: Major problems usually show up as 0 compression on one cylinder. So, pull all the plugs and turn over the flywheel by hand. Press your thumb firmly into the plug holes one by one. If the pistons blow your thumb off the plug holes, then those cylinders are most likely ok.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I'm a newbie, help!!!

Press your thumb firmly into the plug holes one by one. If the pistons blow your thumb off the plug holes, then those cylinders are most likely ok.

Ha Ha, yep! Did that test to my dad's outboard years ago and when it wouldn't blow my finger off the spark plug hole I said to my dad... Ahhh Huston, I think we have a problem