Engine won't start

[Roger K Sterling]

We replaced the starter ourselves and will never do that again. Now it has a strong crank and we here it's trying to fire but doesn't turn over. Any suggestions?

 

[Skybolt]

... Any suggestions?

Yes, more information.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Yes, more information.

A lot more info………

 

[Roger K Sterling]

The boat is a 2000 Sea Ray 240 sundancer. Engine is a mercruiser 5.0 with a thunderbolt ignition. The boat has sat with less than a quarter tank of gas for over a year. I'm wondering if it moisture in the fuel line

 

[Wanderer 290]

Diagnose - air, spark and fuel.
Check for spark. If no spark troubleshoot the ignition system.
If spark then spray a LITTLE starting fluid into the throttle body while cranking. Be careful and have extinguishing devices and materials at hand.

 

[Skybolt]

Couple of things, did the engine run fine before you replaced the starter?

Measure the voltage at the + side of the coil with the key on, it should be ~9v or so. Then while cranking it should be ~12v. Not sure on the exact year, but there is a jump wire either from the key switch or the starter solenoid that supplies 12v's to the coil while cranking. I am guessing that in this case it's from the starter. Re-check your wiring at the starter. Remember Google is your friend.

If it didn't run before the starter then check voltage at the coil with key on. Check for spark while cranking. Check for fuel getting to throttle body. Quarter tank of fuel could be clogged?

 

[dwna1a]

We all will need more info. Why was the starter replaced, let’s start there. I’ve learned from the folks here, it doesn’t matter how big or small the motor. Spark, fuel, and timing make the engine run.

Once we understand more I’m sure we can figure it out

 

[Roger K Sterling]

The boat is a 2000 Sea Ray 240 sundancer. Engine is a mercruiser 5.0 with a thunderbolt ignition. The boat has sat with less than a quarter tank of gas for over a year. I'm wondering if it moisture in the fuel line

 

[scoflaw]

More info not the same info.

 

[Roger K Sterling]

When we tried starting the boat we could here the starter spin but the engine would not start. We changed the starter and now the engine is cranking and sounds like it's trying to start. We sprayed starter fluid but it didn't make a difference. The person I boat the boat boat from used it only once in 1.5 years. It's been sitting with less than a 1/4 tank of fuel. We just put in 5 gallons and now Guage reads 1/4 tank.

 

[Roger K Sterling]

Batteries are fully charged at 12.5 volts

 

[Roger K Sterling]

Also we can smell the fuel when we try to start it

 

[Pirate Lady]

#5, Wanderer broke it down. Nothing changed in 20,000 years. It’s air, spark and fuel. Air is a given. You getting spark? At tip of plugs? If yes, then it’s fuel or fuel delivery system. don’t overthink it.

 

[Wanderer 290]

So given the info available the ignition is suspect. Oddly though no ignition typically, and I stress typically, will inhibit fuel.
Anyhow, pull a spark plug and after reconnecting it to the plug wire ground the plug and crank to verify spark.
Also check all the other components, cap, rotor, plugs, wires and all electrical connections.
Let’s us know…

 

[dwna1a]

Ok we are getting somewhere. You smell fuel, bad fuel but fuel. Spark, ground a plug wire out. What does the spark look like? Pretty and blue or yellow and kinda weak? How old are the pickups and plugs? How old are the batteries and are the connections good and clean?

Last tuneup? From what you are describing, the starter issue and now won’t start. I’d see what you get on a volt meter as you try to turn the motor over. TO ME it sounds like weak batteries. What are you getting off the meter on cranking amps

There are others here with much more info on these issues.

 

[Roger K Sterling]

Thank you all for your input. My boat is on a trailer which is leaning about 4" starboard. The fuel Guage is reading 1/4 tank. Perhaps it's not starting because not enough fuel is being pumped into the engine. I will put 20 gallons into the tank and will let you know what happens

 

[Wanderer 290]

Thank you all for your input. My boat is on a trailer which is leaning about 4" starboard. The fuel Guage is reading 1/4 tank. Perhaps it's not starting because not enough fuel is being pumped into the engine. I will put 20 gallons into the tank and will let you know what happens

Didn’t you say you tried starting fluid with no success?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Kill switch?

 

[Roger K Sterling]

Didn’t you say you tried starting fluid with no success?

Yes, no successn, but I sprayed it then tried to start it. Should I continue to spray while starting it?

 

[Wanderer 290]

Yes, no successn, but I sprayed it then tried to start it. Should I continue to spray while starting it?

If you sprayed and then cranked within 5-8 seconds the engine should have motored to life for a second two.
But the best way is to do a few short, 1 second, bursts while cranking.