Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

[thomas5]

Hi, I have a 1986 Chris Craft that has a 350 V-8, 4Valve engine and the boat is an I/O with stern drive. Recently, I was told that I had to put in a new distributor because the boat would not start. I did this and took the boat out in the bay for 30 minutes...the boat started to lose rpm and was struggling to get back to the gas dock. The boat won't start...does anyone know what might be the matter? I have been told that they have to rebuild the carburator before they can diagnose the problem - they think it might be a fuel issue - water/rust in the gas...I buy my gas from the marina and the marina says there is no water in their gas. During the 30 minutes in the bay, the boat ran like a dream, 4000 rpm and was moving very well until she started losing rpm and then started struggling...the enging was rebuilt 3 years ago. The boat has run well all summer and was doing fine until a couple of weeks ago...Any ideas??

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

When's the last time it had a complete tune up? I mean points, rotor, plugs, cap, filters, etc? Have u checked the timing? When's the last time u cleaned the flame arrestor? If you've been running the boat all summer it's doubtful that you have bad gas from the marina. What kind of fuel tank does it have? Unless it's aluminum, ask whover told you that it may have rust in the tank where it would come from. Before u let anybody mess with the carb, give it a tune up & see how it runs.

 

[thomas5]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

It's last tune up was last August, 2006. The new distributor included a new cap and rotor. The fuel tank is aluminum...Is it possible that the new distributor is bad or the condenser is also no good?

 

[wire2]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

"I was told that I had to put in a new distributor because the boat would not start."
"I have been told that they have to rebuild the carburetor before they can diagnose the problem"

Who is telling you these things???
It sounds like someone in public school.

There are lots of checks/tests you can do to isolate a problem without rebuilding a carb. And if it ran well all summer, until 2 weeks ago, it's doubtful the carb suddenly went bad.

When it starts to run rough, check for a good, hot spark from 1 of the wires. Use plastic insulated pliers.

 

[thomas5]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

I have been told by the mechanic at the marina that the boat has spark...but it won't start...

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

I have been told by the mechanic at the marina that the boat has spark...but it won't start...

Ok, so the boat is at the shop? If your going to let a shop fix it, then why ask us? I'm not going to second guess some tech. If it was me I would get it home & do what I suggested earlier. Do you know how to do a tune up? If not, you better take the time & learn the systems on your boat, or be ready to shell out $$$ for repairs every time there's a problem. And it's doubtful a bad condensor is the problem.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

Ayuh,......

If it's Got Spark,....... It's probably Lacking Fuel.......

 

[xltier]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

take the flame arrester off and have someone pump the throttle while you look down the carb to see if there is any fuel.is so and there is spark,it should start.

 

[thomas5]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

Just got back from the dock and we held the throttle all the way open...it was hard to start and then ran for about 20 sec. and then quit...Any suggestions?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Won't Start - OMC Sterndrive

Ayuh,.........

Diagnose What's Wrong with the Fuel Delivery System.............