Starboard Engine not wanting to start

[Kevin M]

I was out on Lake Erie Saturday. Been boating all day and then dropped anchor (box anchor ) at the sandbar. When we getting ready to leave, fired up the port engine then the starboard and it wouldn't start. Three sessions later, it did start. I had this happen about three times in the last year and wonder, what is going on. I'm not really concerned but....

 

[Gym]

I would finish out this season and replace your plugs in the spring.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Did it turn over but not start? Or dead, nada, nothing?

 

[Kevin M]

It turned over fine, just no spark (apparently) to fire up. I noticed this last year too. I guess I will change the plugs next spring.

 

[buckbuck]

Exercise your lanyard switch. They can be a bit finicky. Exercising prevents corrosion on the contacts.

 

[TechRider]

I have had the same issue. Sometimes it gets fussy and wont start, just cranks. Two or three more cranks and fires up and runs perfectly. My guess would be something with the fuel getting into the engine.

 

[maboat]

Exercise your lanyard switch. They can be a bit finicky. Exercising prevents corrosion on the contacts.

I agree this is the most likely culprit based on the symptoms. Another trick would be to jiggle the throttles in neutral

Did it turn over but not start? Or dead, nada, nothing?

I also agree these small details are major clues to the problem.

Whenever it "won't start" its important to note whether it won't crank at all, or if it cranks but get no pop at all, or if it cranks and stumbles but won't keep running.

Tips:
- if the lanyard is pulled or missing, the engines can still crank, they just won't spark/fire.
- cleanout hatch kill switches will not only kill engine but also prevent cranking.

 

[Andy S]

I agree this is the most likely culprit based on the symptoms. Another trick would be to jiggle the throttles in neutral.

I also agree these small details are major clues to the problem.

Whenever it "won't start" its important to note whether it won't crank at all, or if it cranks but get no pop at all, or if it cranks and stumbles but won't keep running.

All captains should be aware of these basics:
- if the lanyard is pulled or missing, the engines can still crank, they just won't spark/fire.
- same for the throttles. Must be in Neutral or engines will crank but not start.
- cleanout hatch kill switches will not only kill engine but also prevent cranking.

@maboat Are you sure about the throttle/neutral switch allowing the engine to turn over but not start. I am going by memory which is always suspect but I thought with a throttle out of nuetral the engine would not turn over.

 

[maboat]

@maboat Are you sure about the throttle/neutral switch allowing the engine to turn over but not start. I am going by memory which is always suspect but I thought with a throttle out of nuetral the engine would not turn over.

No I'm not sure about that one. After I wrote it I immediately had a brain fart and now think I wrote it backwards. So I edited that part out until I can confirm it. The lanyard I'm sure and the cleanout hatch I'm sure. But for some [old] funny [old] reason [old] I forget which way it works on the throttle

I think my previous inboard boat would allow it to crank but not start in forward or reverse as a way to be assist unwinding a ski rope wrapped around the prop shaft. But the more I think about it I believe you are correct the Yamaha's don't crank at all if not in neutral (since we dont' really have a reverse gear)

 

[Andy S]

No I'm not sure about that one. After I wrote it I immediately had a brain fart and now think I wrote it backwards. So I edited that part out until I can confirm it. For some [old] funny [old] reason [old] I forget which way it works on the throttle

I wasn't sure either, so after I posted I decided to use @Julian user tips section and found an engine troubleshoot guide, https://jetboaters.net/threads/engi...engine-codes-and-battery-voltage-states.1835/ which says with the throttle out of neutral the engine won't turn over.

 

[Devildog]

Older thread here, but I think that I had this issue this weekend. I was out on the anchor for a few hours. When getting ready to leave, I turned on the starter battery and tried to turn over the engines. Nothing. Batteries were fine as the blower was running and Connext gauge showed good amps. Checked the lanyard, turned on the parallel switch, blah, blah. Nothing. I think that I finally realized that the throttle was still in reverse from setting the anchor. Once I moved it into neutral, the engines started. I'm not sure exactly as I was a little frantic with engines not starting and having a bunch of people on board that had plans in the evening. So I believe the engines have to be in neutral for them to start.

 

[Gym]

Older thread here, but I think that I had this issue this weekend. I was out on the anchor for a few hours. When getting ready to leave, I turned on the starter battery and tried to turn over the engines. Nothing. Batteries were fine as the blower was running and Connext gauge showed good amps. Checked the lanyard, turned on the parallel switch, blah, blah. Nothing. I think that I finally realized that the throttle was still in reverse from setting the anchor. Once I moved it into neutral, the engines started. I'm not sure exactly as I was a little frantic with engines not starting and having a bunch of people on board that had plans in the evening. So I believe the engines have to be in neutral for them to start.

Yes, they do need to be in neutral @Devildog. One quick tip...if both engines are not cranking or not starting it's usually something that was forgotten such as battery switch off, throttle levers not in neutral, rear hatch open or not latched, safety clip not in or you're out of beer. The beer thing is the most difficult of these issues to resolve.

 

[Devildog]

Yes, they do need to be in neutral @Devildog. One quick tip...if both engines are not cranking or not starting it's usually something that was forgotten such as battery switch off, throttle levers not in neutral, rear hatch open or not latched, safety clip not in or you're out of beer. The beer thing is the most difficult of these issues to resolve.

Thanks for confirming Gym. The only thing that I didn't do is check the reach hatch latch, which I'll do next time if I have a problem. I swear I had that thing in neutral as I never set the anchor and leave in reverse. But I must have for some reason. It is a pretty deflating feeling when you go to start the engines and get the big fat zero. But super exhilarating when they start and then push those throttles to full speed. Well worth it .

 

[Gym]

I actually leave my throttles in FWD or REV, along with hiding the keys and safety clip as anti theft deterrent while I'm off the boat.

 

[itsdgm]

I actually leave my throttles in FWD or REV, along with hiding the keys and safety clip as anti theft deterrent while I'm off the boat.

Same here. Leaving it in reverse helps keep "little kids" from accidentally firing up an engine when they start turning every switch over and over and over.