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advice - Engine cranks but no start

3.6K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  cyc boater  
#1 ·
Hey guys soo taking the boat out for the first time this season tomorrow, i just tried to start it up and it sits there cranking all day long but the damn thing just wont start. It's been sitting for 4-6 months in my garage.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

GREATLY appreciated!

2007 185 sport, 4.3L merc with only about 31 hours on it.
 
#2 ·
Not sure if it will even turn over without the kill switch/lanyard properly seated...but it might, check it. Next I suppose I would pull a spark plug boot and see If I could get a spark by grounding it while attempting to start....the standard "don't blow yourself up" precautions apply here. After that I would move on to the fuel system.....fuel pump running during start attempts?
 
#3 ·
Did you replace the fuel separator? If so, did you fill it with fuel prior to install? or leave it empty? If empty, they take a long time to fill by cranking. Maybe the old one is still on, and there's water in there?
 
#5 ·
I started my 3.0L 175 Sport every 2 months this past winter (end of Oct, end of Dec, end of Feb). Each time I had to prime it by pushing the throttle full open then closed 4-6 times and then setting it at half throttle when turning the key. It started right up each time that way. I figured this out from reading up on cold starts after I first tried just turning the key without doing anything - then it just cranked forever and wouldn't start. I know this is captain obvious stuff, but in case you weren't already doing this...
 
#6 ·
Given your rig is a 2007 model, I'm guesing that it's fuel injected and all functions of ignition and fuel are computer controlled.

With that understanding, there is not much you can do other than put an analyzer on it and see what the trouble codes are.

If it's a carbureted model, you may have gumed up gas in the fuel bowl causing a disruption of fuel flow. If you are mechanically inclined, the easy fix is to take the carb off, disassemble, clean, re-assemble and re-install.

If you last filled the tank with gasoline/ethanol mix and the boat has been sitting for several months, there is a good chance that the fuel has de-stabilized. You might get it to run by pumping the right additives through the system but you may end up draining all of the old gasoline out of the tank.

Remember...if gasoline, spark and air get to the same place at the same time...it has to run.:thumbsup:

Good Luck,

John F
 
#12 ·
Dennis your not the only one, the 210 Sundeck has a kill switch. The other boats I've owned through my 30 plus years of power boating didn't so when it wouldn't start last weekend I made plans to have it towed to the local marine mechanic for $100 and have them work on the carburetor. That is until someone asked if I checked the kill switch. The light finally went on! That was it, $100 plus saved! Boy talk about feeling stupid. Lesson well learned.
Ralph
CYC Boater