1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

[batteryxsnare]

Hey -

I just bought a boat with a 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 and when I bought the boat the motor was hard to start cold, but once it started it ran fine, and started fine once warm. After I closed the deal on the boat, I had it in the shop for 2-3 months having fiberglass work done (new deck), new T-Top, electronics, etc. etc. etc...I factored all of that into the purchase price of the boat, and didn't take motor problems into consideration :^

Now, I've got the boat back and everything is fixed and working, but the motor will not start. The previous owner told me to crank it with the choke engaged and the throttle in neutral with a touch of accelleration, and crank until it fires. I have tried this, and just about any other combination of choke/no choke/throttle/no throttle/etc...It cranks fine, but nothing happens. I took the fuel/water seperator out and there appears to be no water, and it's not too dirty...a small bit of some microscopic debree but that's it. The inline fuel filter is clean, and when I prime the primer ball it fills up. The smaller fuel filter in the motor has fuel in it. I'm not sure what the problem is. If I spray starter fluid in the intake, it will run until it burns up the fluid (a few seconds) so it seems to me like it's fine, but just not getting fuel, and I don't know why...


Help!

Thanks.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

Welcome to iboats.

Avoid Ether in a 2-stroke. It cleans the internals very effectively and they need an oil film to prevent serious damage. I put a gas/oil mix in a squirt bottle instead.

It sounds like the carbs need to come off for rebuilding. Depending on how long it sat and the age of the gas, varnish forms and restricts the internal passages, and also prevents the float valves from working properly. They can stick open or shut, or just be sticky. It's hard to predict how long it sat before you bought it. And it could have been a pre-existing condition anyhow. The 2 or 3 months you had it layed-up probably added to a pre-existing condition.

 

[JB]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

Howdy, snare.

I agree with WillyB, but suggest that you go a bit further with your troubleshooting. You have 2 carbs on that engine, and one fuel pump. Your problem could be either or all of the above.

Go to Engine FAQs, "Outboard won't start", and confirm what you have done. Probably both carbs are gummy.

Good luck.

 

[batteryxsnare]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

Yeah, I haven't done anything else and will not be able to until later this week when I return from NC, but a friend of mine who is a car mechanic told me to get some carb cleaner and clean out the carbs, and blow it through the fuel hoses...that make any sense?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

only thing that makes sense is to RUN run away very fast from ANY advice a car mechanic gives you about 2 strokes.
99% of automotive techs just dont grasp the simple intricacies of a modern 2 stroke and how ruggedly delicate they can be.
test compresion, test spark. if both are ok rebuild both carbs and replace the fuel pump for general maint, unlike most auto´s a bad fuel pump on your yammie can wipe a piston,rod and or crankshaft.
quite a bit of damage from a 30 dollar part.
I am not busting auto technicians, I used to be one, I just work behind to many any more.

 

[gearyg]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

I had this same problem with a 115 Johnson. I know it may sound simple, but if it sat in the shop for 3mo on top of the time that it sat before you bought it, the gas may be old...even if stabalizer was used (this was the problem with my engine) Drain the fuel and then do a full decarb (see thread on the 2-part decarb in this forum, it is really good). Draing the fuel and a decarb will only be a few bucks and may solve the problem...it did for me and I never had to re-build my carbs for the 2-years I owned the boat. Before that, everyone (all of the shops) told me to re-build the carbs...of course at $300+ bucks. And I agree with the others, 2-strokes with carbs are just a very touchy animal and each one is unique, especially in starting it. Hope this helps you out and good luck.

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

rodbolt gave you the method used by the pros for many years to correct your problem. There is nothing wrong with decarbing the motor. It can be a real benefit for the life of the motor.
Experience says trying to get by without rebuiding the carbs and replacing the fuel pump will only delay the cure and possibly do serious damage to the powerhead.

 

[batteryxsnare]

Re: 1998 Yamaha Saltwater Series 115 Won't Start

Ok guys, well I had the carbs rebuilt...motor fires right up.

Thanks.