Maintenance

Workboat

If you still have problems with your outboard after follow ing a regular maintenance schedule, this quick check list may help you locate their source.

• Engine Won’T Fire

CLUE: Primer bulb does not be come firm when pumped.

POSSIBLE CAUSE; Fuel tank empty; Fuel tank on gas line; Fuel line reversed; Fuel connections not secure; Fuel line pinched or kinked; Tank vent closed; Break in fuel line; Defective primer; Damaged .O. ring in fuel connections.

CLUE: Primer bulb hard, but no fuel at carburettor.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Clogged filter; Fuel-line valve not opening; De fective primer.

CLUE; Fuel in carburettor, but plugs stay dry.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Choke not closing; Idling jet shut; Defective reed valve.

CLUE: Plugs wet with petrol.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Engine flooded.

CLUE: Water on spark plugs.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Water in petrol; Cooling water leaking into cylinder.

CLUE: Spark plug, short, or yellowish.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Cracks on pin holes in high-tension cable insula tion; Cables not pushed fully into terminal caps; Water or salt de posits on high-tension wiring; Breaker points maladjusted; Points pitted or burned; Coil or con denser faulty.

CLUE: Spark at terminal caps but not across plug gaps.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Fouled spark plugs; Plug gap too wide; cables not pushed fully into terminal caps; Defective, burned, or damaged spark plugs.

CLUE: No spark at terminal caps.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Cables not pushed in fully; Short circuit in tilt switch, stop switch, or their wiring; Cracked cable insulation; Breaker points maladjusted, pitted, or burned; Coil or condenser faulty; Flywheel key sheared.

CLUE: Petrol and spark check okay.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Terminal caps on wrong spark plugs.

A page on outboard motor problems

• Engine Starts, Runs

Briefly, Stops

CLUE: Restarts after short wait and repriming.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Fuel tank empty; Fuel line not connected or secure; Tank vent closed; Fuel line pinched or kinked; Air leak in fuel system; Weak spark; Intermittent ignition fault.

• Engine Spits But Won’T

Start, Backfires, Runs

Rough, Or Won’T Idle

CLUE: Operated all right on first tank of fuel.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Fouled or de fective plugs; Water in petrol; Water in spare tank.

CLUE: Runs steadily on open throttle.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Idling jet closed too far.

CLUE: Floods.

POSSIBLE CAUSE; Choke not open ing.

CLUE: Runs irregularly.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Fuel filter partly clogged; Fuel line pinched; Air leak in fuel system; Fuel pump defective; Stale petrol or wrong fuel; Too much oil in fuel.

CLUE; Won’t run, but backfires.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Terminal caps on wrong plugs; Breaker points maladjusted, pitted, or burned.

• Engine Lacks Power,

Overheats

CLUE: Ran well until warm.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Pre-ignition due to carbon deposits and/or lead fouled plugs.

CLUE: New prop used.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Prop pitch too great.

CLUE; Answers throttle poorly.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Mixture too lean; Fuel line pinched; Fuel filter partly clogged; Air leak in fuel system; Fuel pump defective; Stale petrol or wrong fuel; Too much oil in petrol; Plugs fouled or defective; Weak or intermittent spark.

CLUE: No water from exhaust re lief outlet.

POSSIBLE CAUSE; Water pump defective; water inlet clogged.

• Starter Won’T Crank

Engine

CLUE; Pull-handle locked.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Interlock de fective, CLUE: Electric starter inoperative.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Interlock switch maladjusted; Solenoid circuit open.

CLUE: Solenoid clicks, but starter doesn’t operate.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Battery weak; Loose or corroded connections; Starter burned out.

CLUE: Starter spins.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: Pinion stuck.