help with outboards

[OceanSprint]

I've focussed on getting my new boat set up, and neglected the tender. It has 2 outboards a 5hp 4stroke and a 2hp 2 stroke. I know they ran when I got them, but I have not used them for over a year. They've sat in my shed with fuel in all that time, and now they won't start.

Any tips to get them started?

Thanks

 

[CreakyDecks]

I've focussed on getting my new boat set up, and neglected the tender. It has 2 outboards a 5hp 4stroke and a 2hp 2 stroke. I know they ran when I got them, but I have not used them for over a year. They've sat in my shed with fuel in all that time, and now they won't start.

Any tips to get them started?

Thanks

First thing you need to do is be sure that you remember how they work. Make sure you are not confusing fuel cut off with choke for example. (The symbols are not always that clear!) Make sure any kill switch isn't set. If you are sure your are doing the right thing, then change the fuel, especially if you left the air vent open.

 

[trapezeartist]

With any engine, you need fuel, you need air and you need a spark. Mix them up in the right proportions and it will run.

It would be worth taking off the carburettor and clean it with carb cleaner from the local car shop. Then check for a spark: fuel off, choke open and throttle closed; take out the plug and press it against the cylinder head to get a good earth; put on the plug lead: turn the engine over. you should see a nice fat spark.

Having done all that, put it back together. Use new fuel (as a precaution, though I've never had problems with old fuel), make the float bowl has filled, use full choke initially and about quarter to half throttle. A few good pulls and it should go.

If you keep thrashing away and it won't start, beware of flooding it, especially the 2 stroke. If necessary, take the plug out and see if it is wet. If not, you're not getting fuel into the engine. If it is, dry it, leave it out, turn off the fuel, open the choke, open the throttle to max and spin the engine over to clear out all the surplus fuel. Put it back together and try again.

 

[KAL]

I've focussed on getting my new boat set up, and neglected the tender. It has 2 outboards a 5hp 4stroke and a 2hp 2 stroke. I know they ran when I got them, but I have not used them for over a year. They've sat in my shed with fuel in all that time, and now they won't start.

Any tips to get them started?

Thanks

If all else fails, ask VicS of these forums to wave his magic wand over them. He's a mine of amazing info and wisdom. Good luck.

 

[Jaguar 25]

Fuel in Carb

With any engine, you need fuel, you need air and you need a spark. Mix them up in the right proportions and it will run.

Also a useful habit to get into is, prior to stopping the outboard when it is to be left for more than a few days, is to disconnect the fuel line and use up all the fuel in the carb. If you don't do this, the fuel can evaporate over a period of time leaving a residue that can block the jets. Once has stopped reconnect the fuel line to protect the connection, remove the kill switch and lift the prop clear of the water..

 

[LadyInBed]

Makes are often a useful thing to know
Is the two stroke electronic ignition or points?

 

[VicS]

I've focussed on getting my new boat set up, and neglected the tender. It has 2 outboards a 5hp 4stroke and a 2hp 2 stroke. I know they ran when I got them, but I have not used them for over a year. They've sat in my shed with fuel in all that time, and now they won't start.

Any tips to get them started?

Thanks

Fresh fuel.
Correct fuel oil mix for the two stroke using a two stroke outboard oil.

Drain the old fuel from the carbs.

Check the sparks. Not just across the plug electrodes but make sure you have a sparks which will jump 3/8" if cd ignition or a bit less if points ignition.

Check, clean, reset or if in doubt replace the plugs.

If still no go with good sparks and fresh fuel try spraying a little fuel into the carb inlets. If they fire and run briefly but do not continue it may be necessary to strip and clean the carbs. Likewise if they only run with choke.

When you get them running check the cooling water flow from the telltale and or exhaust back pressure relief ports

Before use check the gear case oil. It should be clear and bright, and up to the level of the level plug, but see the owners manuals. Milkiness indicates water ingress.

 

[OceanSprint]

Many thanks to all helpful replies. Will try these ideas.

 

[onesea]

.......It would be worth taking off the carburettor and clean it with carb cleaner from the local car shop.... ............you should see a nice fat spark........

I Would avoid taking the carb off, if you are having to ask such questions, Carbs are simple bits of kit but can be a little tweaky to deal with...

A nice fat spark always appears to me to be barely visible I have hardly ever seen one on outboards that run! I think that its a practice thing and experienced eye thing so just cause you cannot see a spark it might be that you do not know how to look (I still struggle).

Firstly change spark plug for new one try again!

Then for me it would be run some fuel to and through the carb by easy means often easy to disconect a fuel line at the carb....

Then drain the bowl of the carb run some fuel through there into clear container looking for impurity.

Spray engine with WD40 (I also used WD40 on Carb but now every one says use Carb cleaner?). Do not adjust the carb settings you said it run as it is set at the moment, trying to reduplicate settings is near impossible.

Try again. Some times just walking away and coming back in 5 minutes can solve the issue instead of thrashing away (flooded?). I think it just gives carb chance to balance it mixes.

If it starts running but is rough do not panic, once its running if it is rubbish fuel or dirty carb it may well burn its way through. Petrol is a very good cleaning substance it just can take a little time..

 

[CreakyDecks]

Another thing to try is heating up the electrode end of your spark plug(s) on a gas hob, especially if you have been pulling for a while and covered them in fuel oil mix. Even with slightly "off" petrol that usually gets them going and then after a few minutes running engines often clean themselves up as petrol goes through, cleaning jets and freeing up seized piston rings.