Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

[picky]

I just bought a used 2007 Nissan NSF9.8 A3 with low hours. It has electric start. On the second outing it ran at trolling speed for about 3 hours. Then I stopped it and used my big motor to find another spot on the lake. Some water splashed up over the motor and when I went to start it again it didn't do anything. Since then I have changed the oil, installed new plugs, tested for spark, cleaned the carb, emptied the fuel tank and put in 91 octane fuel, inspected the fuel filter, and emptied the carb bowl several times. Every now and then I get a big pop and then nothing. I have blown all the wiring with a compressor and it has been sitting 5 days in 90 degree sun so I don't think it is wet anywhere. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

There are 3 basic systems to test: Mechanical, fuel, and ignition. When you say that you "I went to start it again it didn't do anything", does that mean the starter did not crank? If so, it's possibly that the start-in-gear safety system was engaged -- either the electrical neutral safety, or the flywheel's mechanical safety. Or... the motor was liquid locked.

I have seen more than one electric-start 9.8A that was significantly overfilled with oil (you only use about 1-1/2 pints for an oil change), that were liquid locked, and trying the starter sheared the woodruff key that times the flywheel to the crankshaft. That can result in the motor being way out of time, and the occasional pop that you experience. To check for that, pull the flywheel and inspect the tapered mating surfaces between the crank and flywheel, as well as the condition of the magneto key.

Have you disassembled the carb and done a proper soaking? I had a similar set of symptoms a few weeks back on a similar motor. Lots of junk in the carb bowl had made its way into the carb passages. After a thorough carb cleaning, all was well.

 

[picky]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. The starter cranks fine. The motor turns fine. I'm getting a blue spark from both plugs. I did drain some of the new oil out so I am below the high fill mark on the dipstick. I have taken the carb apart 3 times. There wasn't a spot of varnish or dirty fuel and I have sprayed every orifice and the jet with carb cleaner and blown them out. I haven't had even the pop in several tries now. I will check the flywheel and magneto key next. Will it do any good (or harm) to get some fuel directly into the intake manifold? I imagine the carb is working because the spark plugs are getting damp. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[picky]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

Can I use a steering wheel puller to remove the flywheel or do I need the special Nissan tool?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

Still sounds like a carb issue. Carb spary is not aggressive enough to clean out the idle passages, expecially if it wasn't completely disassembled. A proper cleaning requires complete disassembly (including the jets and emulsion tube "nozzle"), followed by a 4-hour soak in real carb dip, and then you can blow it all out with carb spray before reassembly.

If the mechanicals are OK and you have spark, in time, there is a fuel issue. Remember, for a 4-stroke, the cycle is as follows (as per a famous racing driver): suck, squeeze, bang, blow. If you have an olde-fashioned timing light, you can skip inspection of the magneto key. There are timing marks on the flywheel that you can view with the light, even while cranking. Yes, a harmonic balancer puller will work on the flywheel, as long as you can get the bolt pattern to fit the flywheel. A lot of them will not go narrow enough.

When trying to start, make sure you are above idle, to admit enough air to the motor. You can squire a little fuel into the intake air stream, if you feel you need to do that to test. The carb can be installed on the intake without the air box for easier access to the inlet air stream.

 

[picky]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

I wish I had received this earlier because I do have a timing light. I'm 68 years old so those were the tools I grew up with. I decided to bite the bullet and take it into a Nissan dealer and hope it will be working by this weekend. The season is getting short for fishing. If you like I will post what I find out was wrong. Thanks very much for your instruction.

 

[picky]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

Sorry! I'm 78 years old.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

Yes, in Outboard land, we still use feeler gauges, timing lights, and analog ohm meters

 

[picky]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

The mechanic I took the motor to said that it needs a carb rebuild and the kits are on back order until October. I lose the rest of the season and then it will freeze over. Any help or ideas in finding a carb kit before October? That is too long of a wait. I don't even buy green bananas.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Nissan NSF 9.8 A3 Won't start after water came up over cowling.

My bet would be that the carb needs a complete disassembly (including jets and the emulsion tube "nozzle"), 4-hour soak in real carb dip, then a careful reassembly. But, occasionally, the needle or float needs to be replaced. I have a kit on the shelf at all times. Kit includes gaskets, float & needle valve. Fits: 8hp & 9.8hp 4-stroke models. Part # 3V1871220M $34.75. You can drop me an email: paul@obersheimersails.com, or call me at the office: 716-877-8221.