Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

[sgroer]

If you all have been reading up on the saga that is my boat... first it was the trailer, then the impeller, and now its' time to fire it up. It's almost there. It wants to start. On most attepmts the engine will fire, but wont start. It will fire repeatedly if I hold the starter. But I don't want to hold the key for too long in fear of overhaeting the starter. If I spry WD-40 in the carbs, I get the same result. Fires but wont run. It started twice but barely. Once running, it ran great. The gas is fairly old (5-6 months) is this the culprit? The plugs are brand new. The carbs may be slightly dirty, but they were cleaned about 30 running hours ago. Thanks so much everyone. I can't thank you enough for getting me this far! SG

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Are you holding the "choke" on while cranking? WD40 is no longer a good "starting fluid" Pump the primer bulb and make sure its firm. Sounds like your not choking it correctly???? Also add some "fast idle" Pull shifter out and add a little throttle.

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Hi Trent!<br />I am chokling it and I hear a click in the engine when I press in the choke. I also have it at fast idle. Primer is depressed as usual. I have started this boat many may times. Just deosnt' want to go now. If you had any idea how bad I want to go to lake seminole this weekend. I already took Thursday and Friday off to go fishing and camping. It's gotten too frustrating for words. The engine smokes considerably when it fires, if that helps at all.

 

[Franki]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Things you might want to check..<br /><br />1. Timing.<br />2. Compression.<br />3. Plugs, (are they getting wet with fuel after you try to start it?)<br /><br />Put some two stroke mix in an oil can and spray down the throats and give it another go.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Its hard on the computer..But it maybe time to remove the carbs and clean and put "kits" in them? Try this stupid trick..Remove sparkplugs and squirt or pour 1/2 ounce of fuel mix into the cylinders and then replace sparkplugs and try to crank and see what happens???<br /><br /><br />By the way..Is this a oil injected model? If so..Or do it anyway.. Remove the screws on the bottom of the carbs and let the fuel/oil run out. Replace screws and pump primer bulb and and try to restart.

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Thanks guys, Will try that. After that, I'm hanging it up until tomorrow evening after work. But, since the engine ran well twice just recently, it can't be the timing , right? It took a while to start both times, but eventually did, all the while exhibiting identical behavior to what I see now. Interestingly, once it ran for a minute or two, it took a 1/2 second click of the key and it fired right up again.

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Slowly more information... MAKE sure that the engine is turning at full cranking speed. These engines MUST have it to spark the plugs. Is it turning the engine over like it used too? Battery and connections must be GOOD!

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

The battery "had" a full charge. It started to slow down later in the evening from all my attempts. I am charging it again overnight. I'd say the connections at the battery could use some cleaning so I will work on that tomorrow. Overall, it sounds like she's cranking pretty good.. as good as seasons past.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

You said the gas was 5-6 months old. Try some fresh gas. A test tank might be an option for you to see if that is the culprit. Hook her up to the test tank with some fresh fuel in there and see what happens. You can take the old fuel in the tank and perhaps run it in your vehicle. Doesn't affect a car so much as a marine engine (don't use it full strength though )

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />I tried the trick of adding a bit of gas directly into the cylinders and bam, cranked right up. I ran it for 10-15 minutes never above idle since I was on the hose. Alright, seeing that I am a car guy, I thought 6 spark plugs meant 6 cylinders. I have 6 spark plugs, and the label inside the engine where the plug wires connect says "3 Cylinders" Okay, and now the kicker. She runs quite well, but she runs just as well without either of the top two plug wires connected. So I am either running on four or 2 cylinders. I am sure they are sparking (blue arc from wire to plug)... what gives? I haven't run a compression check.

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

If the plugs are not fouled..Its time for the compression check..Glad you got her fired up!!<br /> <br /><br />Post your model and serial number from the transom bracket.<br />web page

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Trent,<br />I can't thank you enough. I actually sprayed some carb cleaner in the top carb and the engine flooded out, so something is going on in there. It;s runnning a tiny bit rough, but satisfactory and idles as long as I need it to. Plugs look okay, although they are brand new. If compression is low, what does that mean? I assume the compression test is something left for the experts, right? Spraying the 50:1 mix into the top carb, I get a jump in idle speed, so I think it's not getting fuel. Maybe clean carbs and lines? All I wanted was for this thing to run by tomorrow... my fishing trip will become a reality, Thanks to all you wonderful people (Trent especially).<br />Serial number is 639906. Not sure about model number.

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Your going in the right direction..If you spray fuel mix into the carb and it chokes down that is really good.. If you spray some and the engine runs better..That is your (or one of) problem. <br /><br />If it was mine I would do a compression check (its not hard) And I would also put a carb kit in (AT LEAST) the one that increase the rpm when you spray fuel into.<br /><br /><br />If you want me to walk you thru the compression check or have any question I might be able to help with.. Feel free. To e-mail. Trentcr@hotmail.com<br />Another good trick is to go to Wal Mart and buy Berrymans B12 carb cleaner and pour it into the fuel tank per directions. Iv used it for years and it works great and it might cure your problem after a few hours.<br /><br />BTY are we fishing Lake Lanier??<br />

 

[sgroer]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Trent, <br />When I get back, maybe I'll take you up on the compression check. I'm actually fishing seminole (maybe close to where you are?) this weekend. I hear the bite is ferocious right now. I hope to get three good days of fishing. It's gonna feel good just to get away. Meeting some friends I haven't seen in a while. We'll pitch some tents, grill out, etc. Plus, there's a huge bluegrass festival at Jack Wingates. Thanks again. I owe you one. If you wanna fish lanier, let me know. It's a fun lake, but packed, and fishing pressure is opressive on the weekends. Wish me luck! I'm on my way in the morning.

 

[Trent]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Good luck on the fishing. I here the bite is very good down their. I fish Eufaula which is the same river. When it bites at Seminole its just a few weeks for me! I here Jacks Windgates is a fun place to be!

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: Almost starts: 1990 Mariner 90 Hp

Ok how do outboards work they need fire,fuel to run. If when you spray starting fluid in there and she runs well there is your problem. Fuel starvation first thing to check is the square fuel pump and get a new diaphram kit installed. I had a 89 80mercury that would only let the oil go through and not the fuel. Could have been the synthetic 2stroke that I used. You might also have a weak ingnition and the combo keeps you from running. My snoblower had a weak ignition and I replaced the cdi and now she runs.