Nissa 5 hp 4-stroke won't start

[jimslewis]

Group:

I have a 5 hp 4-stroke that is only a few years old. After the first year (15 or so hours) I ran the fuel dry and stored it indoors. It sat for about 20 months and now won't start. Any ideas? I have fresh fuel and the plug looks OK. I'm not sure where to spray starter fluid, or if by sitting the carb needs to be cleaned. Can I do this myself? BTW, when I do pull the indicator light briefly glows red, but the engine won't even cough - I get nothing. The safety clip is in, and the choke out, fuel fresh and bulb from remote tank primed. Help!

Thanks much,

 

[pvanv]

Re: Nissa 5 hp 4-stroke won't start

#1: Don't use starting spray; The ether could crack a ring.

As a famous F1 racer once explained, a 4-stroke must have these conditions to run: "Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow". Assuming that the motor is mechanically OK (the squeeze and blow), you would then need to diagnose the ignition and fuel systems. Fuel problems are most common. Since you are getting an oil LED (which is powered by the CD), you likely have at least some ignition signal.

Easiest and most basic approach is to pull the plug and see if it is wet with fuel (after trying a few pulls). If it's not at least a little wet, you are not delivering fuel. If it's dripping wet, you are flooded. Check the color of the plug; tan is healthy, but sooty black is fouled. It's possible that the needle in the carb is stuck shut, or stuck open. You can open the carb drain a quarter turn to see if fuel dribbles out. If not, you don't have gas in the carb bowl. While the plug is out, check for spark by holding the threads of the plug to block ground, and look for the blue arc across the electrodes while pulling. If no spark is evident, you don't have ignition.

If these diagnostic procedures seem over your head, seek the advice of a dealer.