Hey all, here's the scoop:
I recently bought a Nissan 5hp 2 stroke engine with my sailboat, and I cannot get it to start. The previous owner used it and said it worked before, but has let it sit for 3 years in his yard. Everything in the engine looks great as far as I can tell. I would like to fix it myself, as the places I called about repairs are pretty pricey.
First I replaced all of the old fuel in the tank with new gas and oil (at about 35:1 ratio. The manual suggested 25:1 when you are starting a motor that hasn't been started in a while). The fuel tank has a hand bulb that is used to pump the fuel into the engine which works. The filter on the fuel line looks clean and the fuel readily flows through the filter. So I don't think fuel flow is the problem.
Second, I replaced the spark plug. So ignition/sparking shouldn't be the problem.
Third, I took the carb off and removed the plastic/rubber parts and soaked it first in vinegar, then in some aerosol carb cleaner spray (I put the carb in a plastic bag and sprayed all of the spray into the bag and let it sit in the liquid for an hour or so).
Lastly, I bypassed the lanyard, as it seemed kind of eroded. I just cut the wires and spliced them together without the pull out part. I'll fix it again when I can get the engine to start.
I am not sure what else to do. When pulling the starter, the rope has plenty of tension on it (it doesn't just pull out really easily). I was told if it just pulls right out the compression is bad, so I think the compression is fine. Maybe it is sticky in the floater section attached to the carb? Would that stop my motor from turning over? Also, I have been trying to start it in a garbage can full of water. When I pull the starter rope (even with the motor in neutral) the prop will try to spin, ie. it moves the water in the garbage can. Is this right? I felt that if it is in neutral the prop shouldn't spin at all.
I know this is long, but I wanted to include all of the info I knew. Thanks for the help!
Jake
I recently bought a Nissan 5hp 2 stroke engine with my sailboat, and I cannot get it to start. The previous owner used it and said it worked before, but has let it sit for 3 years in his yard. Everything in the engine looks great as far as I can tell. I would like to fix it myself, as the places I called about repairs are pretty pricey.
First I replaced all of the old fuel in the tank with new gas and oil (at about 35:1 ratio. The manual suggested 25:1 when you are starting a motor that hasn't been started in a while). The fuel tank has a hand bulb that is used to pump the fuel into the engine which works. The filter on the fuel line looks clean and the fuel readily flows through the filter. So I don't think fuel flow is the problem.
Second, I replaced the spark plug. So ignition/sparking shouldn't be the problem.
Third, I took the carb off and removed the plastic/rubber parts and soaked it first in vinegar, then in some aerosol carb cleaner spray (I put the carb in a plastic bag and sprayed all of the spray into the bag and let it sit in the liquid for an hour or so).
Lastly, I bypassed the lanyard, as it seemed kind of eroded. I just cut the wires and spliced them together without the pull out part. I'll fix it again when I can get the engine to start.
I am not sure what else to do. When pulling the starter, the rope has plenty of tension on it (it doesn't just pull out really easily). I was told if it just pulls right out the compression is bad, so I think the compression is fine. Maybe it is sticky in the floater section attached to the carb? Would that stop my motor from turning over? Also, I have been trying to start it in a garbage can full of water. When I pull the starter rope (even with the motor in neutral) the prop will try to spin, ie. it moves the water in the garbage can. Is this right? I felt that if it is in neutral the prop shouldn't spin at all.
I know this is long, but I wanted to include all of the info I knew. Thanks for the help!
Jake
