Outboard Issue

[timangiel]

Lots of good tips here. One other thing you can try is after it starts, see if squeezing the primer bulb keeps it running. If it does you might have a fuel pump problem.

[dabnis]

Originally Posted by timangiel

Lots of good tips here. One other thing you can try is after it starts, see if squeezing the primer bulb keeps it running. If it does you might have a fuel pump problem.

Or, for what ever reason, the tank is not venting properly?

Paul T

[JMN412]

The engine is just unreliable. It doesn't start every time, but when it does it will idle for between 10 seconds to about 2 minutes. When I rev it up it runs longer.

I gapped the spark plugs, so thats not the problem. I cleaned the carb, so thats not the problem. Fuel lines are clear, and the bowl drains fine, so thats not the problem. It has spark, air, and fuel. What else could I be missing?

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by JMN412

.... It has spark, air, and fuel. What else could I be missing?

That only leaves compression.

[Faster]

Is the choke mechanism working properly??

[dabnis]

Possibly, the float level is incorrect? Or, weak fuel pump? Sounds like it is running out of fuel at low speeds? You might try a seperate tank or vessel of fuel with a seperate fuel line, with no squeeze ball in it, held above and directly to the carb. If that works, it could be the pump or the tank/hose system. 2 strokes love NEW plugs.

Paul T

[JMN412]

Yeah it could very well be the choke. The is the one thing I haven't checked yet. What is the best way to go about checking the choke mechanism? What should I be looking for?

[Faster]

Originally Posted by JMN412

Yeah it could very well be the choke. The is the one thing I haven't checked yet. What is the best way to go about checking the choke mechanism? What should I be looking for?

With the breather cover off, activate the choke lever.. you should see the little damper plate actually move from mostly closed (choked) to off (wide open). These levers usually just hook into the choke arm, or snap on so it's possible it's come adrift.... but it is just one possibility left after what you say has been dealt with..

[Sea Dawg]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

That only leaves compression.

Agreed.

OMC Outboards are reliable and simple when you address the basic things, so something simple may still be wrong. I had a head gasket leak recently and behaved similarly due to introduction of water in the combustion chamber. Shine a flashlight in the spark plug hole looking for water droplets. On mine the tiny droplets showed on the spark plug and wouldn't burn with a match. You can get a pinhole leak in the plug wires. Very common under the hold down clamp. Judging by the tiny black burn mark my guess is for some time the motor still runs. One time a friend had what appeared fuel problems and after trying everything, he pull the built in tank and found a june bug had crawled in the vent. Another tough one was a friend had a rust hole in the tank suction line in his car. Ran great as long as the tank was full. Some quirky thing will be found and you'll have a great little motor.

Good luck!

[JMN412]

I finally caved and took it in to a local small engine repair shop. Turns out the carb was completely shot, and needed to be replaced. But at least now I will have a reliable engine. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!