Mariner will not stay started.

[Daddy Mitt]

I have a Mariner 40 HP EL (Twin Carbs) 6e9 series. It starts right up but only stays started for about 5 - 10 seconds then chokes out. At one time I got it going for about 30 - 45 seconds the all of a sudden just choked out and died. I have rebuilt the carbs, and bouhgt a new fuel line (from gas to motor). I have adjusted the Stop Throttle screw until it is all the way tight and just about all the way loose. I have adjusted the needles in conjuncttion with the throttle screw. I was able to get it going enough to get her to the pier. Ran great when I did that.

Does anyone have an idea what is going on with my motor?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

When you say it 'chokes out and dies' is it flooded or out of gas?

Do you have to pump the primer bulb to get it to restart? If so, then the fuel pump may have failed.

If it is Flooded then you need to verify the ignition is working. Use a timing light to see if you lose spark while the motor is dying.

Repost your findings.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

How old are the spark plugs?

 

[Timmy222]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Sounds like a fuel issue. If your getting it started and it dies that fast it may be using what fuel it is getting initially and burning that off then dying. Do you know if it is getting enough fuel?

 

[Daddy Mitt]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Thanks for the quick reply!

The Spark plugs are brand new. I was leaning towards the fuel pump but didn't want to spend the $$ unless I had a general concensus. I don't think it is flooded, because here is the wierd thing. No matter how I adjust the screws, it pretty much does the same thing.

I have noticed that the pressure in the bulb is not what it is supposed to be. Although I don't have to squeese it all the time, I found that I have to squeeze it from time to time.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Remove the fuel pump but leave the fuel lines attached, pump the primer bulb whiile watching the vacuum port on the fuel pump, is any fuel leaking?

If so, rebuild the fuel pump.

Remove the fuel pump hose to the carbs, pull the lanyard so the engine won't start, crank the motor and watch the fuel flow, is it a strong pulsed flow?

If not, check to be sure ALL fuel lines are clear, including the dip tube and fitting in the fuel tank. If all lines are good, then rebuild the fuel pump.

 

[Daddy Mitt]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Thanks for the trouble shooting tips on the Fuel pump. I am getting a strong flow from tne pump and no gas is leaking through the back of the pump when squeezing the bulb. The gas tank is less than a year old. Saved money because it passed both tests. I pulled both plugs and they both look different in appearance. Once has a dark film and does not look like the other which is clean and dry. A guy who has been working on this with me says it may be a bad Head Gasket.

I can rev it to keep it started (feathering the throttle arm) but once i let go of the arm it dies.

Any thoughts?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Compression test should be quick and easy, if there is more than a 10% difference then pull the head.

A cyl leak down test would be much better as cranking compression CAN be within limits yet Combustion pressure still leak and cause a weak cyl once under load in gear AND can cause WOT overheating.

Inspecting and replacing a head gasket is not that expensive or difficult and could save you from a potential cooling problem once this motor does run at WOT.

 

[Daddy Mitt]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Yes Charlie you are right!
Changing a head gasket SHOULD be an easym yet it was very inexpensive, but I must be on a streak of bad luck... I broke a bolt. The good news is there is a spot on the old one that appears as though it may be the source of the problem. The broken bolt is the bad new. However, if there is a bright spot in all of this, it is not a bolt at the bottom.
Any way I have a manual, no where does it say the torque for tightening the bolts back up. I have the order. Do you have this info?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mariner will not stay started.

Do you have the Factory Service Manual?

Even the Clymers version posted on-line has a tbale of torque values

1198 to 2002 head bolt is 16 ft-lbs or 192 in-lbs

on-line library available thru

http://www.hibbing.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={8B2E6CEF-5E42-4BA4-AA26-31E0490E23F4}