Mariner 4 2 stroke. Do they not like being transported on their side?

I don't know about clutching at straws. My Mariner 4 hp was giving starting problems, but once it fired it was fine.
I dismantled the needle valve and polished the tip (not a soft one in this case) and have had no problems since; one or two pulls every time.

It's the fact that Dave's motor has been on it's side that makes me suspect the needle valve. Plus, are the spring and needle assembled correctly?
 
Sounds like a carb overhaul is due then. I'll see how it goes remaining upright but will certainly attend to that at the end of the year, unless it becomes so unreliable I have to do it sooner.

Just thinking about this, I wonder if my expectations are just too high.

I had hoped it would be a motor you could depend on, which would always start and run easilly when wanted.

But thinking about it, I have 3 other small 2 stroke engines on a strimmer, a chainsaw, and a tiller (as in rotovator) Each of them is at best tempremental. If you don't treat them just right, they are all easy to flood at start up, and they are all a bitch to start once warm and stopped for 5 minutes. (in fact I've just come in for a tea break as my chainsaw won't start after being stopped for 10 minutes to sharpen the chain)

Perhaps this Mariner is just keeping up the trend that all small 2 stroke engines are by their very nature tempremental, and very very particular how you start them (too much or too little choke and they just won't go)

In contrast, my 3.5HP 4 stroke lawnmower, now over 15 years old and well used, starts first or second pull every time, hot or cold with no trouble.

Perhaps I need a 4 stroke outboard?
 
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ProDave,

I have the 4 & 5 hp versions of that engine, very reliable, starts 1st or 2nd pull & no hiccups; carried in the boat on its' side when not in use, sometimes needed in a hurry so whipped out of locker, into the well and I expect it to start, have motored across the Channel with the 4 on a 22' sailing cruiser many times.

A 4-stroke will be smoother & quieter, but also expensive and MUCH heavier.

Also 4-strokes really are fussy about being laid on their side, the handbook should specify if it's OK ( at all ) and if so which side - if going for a 4 stroke be sure to check it can be laid on its' side.

I'd think a carb' service on your present 4 is all you need, but obviously that's remote guestimation !
 
ProDave said:
But thinking about it, I have 3 other small 2 stroke engines on a strimmer, a chainsaw, and a tiller (as in rotovator) Each of them is at best tempremental. If you don't treat them just right, they are all easy to flood at start up, and they are all a bitch to start once warm and stopped for 5 minutes. (in fact I've just come in for a tea break as my chainsaw won't start after being stopped for 10 minutes to sharpen the chain)

Perhaps this Mariner is just keeping up the trend that all small 2 stroke engines are by their very nature tempremental, and very very particular how you start them (too much or too little choke and they just won't go)

?
Click to expand...

Just maybe, it's something to do with your technique? :)After all millions of other people regularly use two-strokes without major hassle.
 
Seajet said:
A 4-stroke will be smoother & quieter, but also expensive and MUCH heavier.

Also 4-strokes really are fussy about being laid on their side, the handbook should specify if it's OK ( at all ) and if so which side - if going for a 4 stroke be sure to check it can be laid on its' side.
Click to expand...
How difficult is it to lay it on the correct side? I don't think there is a motor that you cannot lay down.

Yes. They are heavier, and that may influence your choice but mine stays on the back of the boat all the time and is so much quieter, more economical and less fumey than a 2 stroke.
I've had four 2strokes and three 4strokes in the past few years and love the 4 strokes (even the Honda).
 
In my boat, it's much easier to lay the engine down on its' port -usually tiller - side in the locker; the other way may not even fit.

Weight is important as it should be lifted from the well and stowed, and a fairing plug fitted in the well, for any decent length sail; then of course the reverse process when coming into port.
 
I'll see how it goes this season before making up my mind what to do.

I'm pretty much decided that as part of this summers trailer refurb, a suitable piece of wood will be bolted to the winch post to carry the outboard upright on the front of the boat trailer.

It may be my technique that's the problem. My experience of all the other 2 stroke engines is that of you don't get it right, and it doesn't start in the first few tries, then it's probably flooded, and won't start without a wait for it to dry, or by removing the plug. But I've been using these other motors for several years, and had plenty of time to try different techniques, and I still get it wrong plenty of times.

With the Mariner, It has to have choke to start from cold, but, from my experience of the other engines, I try to turn the choke off very quickly. With my other (air cooled) engines, they need the choke off pretty quick.

Perhaps the mariner being water cooled takes longer to warm up, so needs choke for longer? but if that was my "problem" then it wouldn't explain why it just won't go, even if I try it again with choke. Stuck float or needle valve as a result of being on it's side is still looking like the most likely problem.
 
As mentioned, I have virtually the same engines.

I start from cold with full choke, should be within 2-3pulls.

If not started by then, select half choke.

If not firing within a few more pulls, choke off and there's a problem somewhere.

Normally, after 1-2 pulls, the moment it fires turn down to half choke.

Run at moderately high revs for say 30 seconds, then choke off.

Then check it runs in gear before setting off / relying on it.

Good luck !
 
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ProDave said:
... My experience of all the other 2 stroke engines is that of you don't get it right, and it doesn't start in the first few tries, then it's probably flooded, and won't start without a wait for it to dry, or by removing the plug....
Click to expand...

On these small 2 strokes, if you think you've over-done the choke, knock the choke off & spin the engine over with FULL throttle. It'll probably fire after a few pulls then die again. This is your cue to start again with a little less choke.

May help.... :confused:


Andy
 
Nil desperandum

ProDave;2935003 I wonder if my expectations are just too high. [/QUOTE said:
No, I don't think they are. Despite the carb problems I've described here, the motor, once you've got it going the first time on a trip, never misses a beat. We tour canals & rivers with it, too, and we always stop it in locks, etc, because we know it will always start within 2 pulls - usually first. It ticks over reliably, and it's pushed our boat through F7 headwinds & choppy water. Once you've found the problem, it is likely to be a good 'un.
Click to expand...
 
I used to have the Marina 4 2 stroke. I always transported it on its side in the boot and provided you remembered to turn the internal fuel tap off it started no problem. Forget and you can easily flood the engine if you lay it with the throttle handle on the bottom.

However, there is a problem if you lay the engine on its side too soon after using it. Water can drain up the leg and into the crankcase where it wrecks the big end. You must make sure that all water has drained away before laying it flat.
 
We have a useful arrangement at our yacht club - a freshwater flush tank, at the top of the slipway. As you approach the slip in your tender, stop the motor, close the fuel tap and vent, and tilt the motor up, ideally leaving enough way on to avoid needing to grab an oar before you hit the slip.
As soon as you get ashore, it's easy to take the motor off the tender, put it in the flush tank, then start it with everything still shut. By the time the float chamber is empty, after running for 20 seconds or so, all the salt water has been flushed out, so no chance of getting the cooling passages clogged up, and no corrosive salt water dripping into your car boot.
 
Just an update.

We were out on the boat today, first time out since the launch last Wednesday when the motor let us down.

This time it started on the second pull and behaved impecably, idling when required, and delivering power when required.

That has gone some way to restoring confidence in the motor.

Since the launch, the motor has been upright on the back of the boat.
 
That's good news. There is nothing worse than a motor you don't have faith in.

(well, there is obviously. But in this context I mean)
 
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