arboldt
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2007
- Messages
- 417
This problem started a year ago, and appears to be getting worse. As long as the engine was running, it would keep running even after it's hot, even if running for a couple hours. However, once it was hot, if I ever turned it off, it would not start for a couple hours or so, presumably until it cooled down.
A year ago, had the stator, voltage regulator, and switchbox assembly replaced. Still would not start when the engine was hot, although now when cold it starts rough but it does start.
This year, the problem seemed like vapor lock, so I replaced the fuel pump. Problem persists.
Yesterday a knowledgable and capable friend who's worked on boats for 60 years helped me with it:
(1) Confirming the engine would not start, we put a spark tester / indicator on it. Saw excellent spark.
(2) Pulled a plug. While slightly damp, it was not overly moist, so flooding was not an issue.
(3) We disconnected the fuel line at the top of the carburetor, and cranked the starter. We got good spurts of fuel out of the end of that hose; he said the new fuel pump was working very well, so we reconnected everything.
(4) Still wouldn't start. We sprayed a shot of starter fuid in the top cylinder, and tried again. The engine fired right up but died after 30 (?) seconds (didn't time it, but probably as soon as the starter fluid was burned).
(5) Without using the starter fluid, the engine would crank but not begin to catch. I asked if it might be the reed valves, and he said no, that because it would continue running while hot IF started when cold, that he doubted the reeds could be the problem.
(6) Becuase it would start when cold and run ok from then, he doubted that compression could be a problem.
(7) The problem therefore appears to be in the carburetors, but for it to affect all 3 is highly unlikely.
Question is, what do I check next and how do I do it?
A year ago, had the stator, voltage regulator, and switchbox assembly replaced. Still would not start when the engine was hot, although now when cold it starts rough but it does start.
This year, the problem seemed like vapor lock, so I replaced the fuel pump. Problem persists.
Yesterday a knowledgable and capable friend who's worked on boats for 60 years helped me with it:
(1) Confirming the engine would not start, we put a spark tester / indicator on it. Saw excellent spark.
(2) Pulled a plug. While slightly damp, it was not overly moist, so flooding was not an issue.
(3) We disconnected the fuel line at the top of the carburetor, and cranked the starter. We got good spurts of fuel out of the end of that hose; he said the new fuel pump was working very well, so we reconnected everything.
(4) Still wouldn't start. We sprayed a shot of starter fuid in the top cylinder, and tried again. The engine fired right up but died after 30 (?) seconds (didn't time it, but probably as soon as the starter fluid was burned).
(5) Without using the starter fluid, the engine would crank but not begin to catch. I asked if it might be the reed valves, and he said no, that because it would continue running while hot IF started when cold, that he doubted the reeds could be the problem.
(6) Becuase it would start when cold and run ok from then, he doubted that compression could be a problem.
(7) The problem therefore appears to be in the carburetors, but for it to affect all 3 is highly unlikely.
Question is, what do I check next and how do I do it?