Thread: Going electric

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Welcome to the forum from Nashville!! If I may ask, what have you done to try to fix the starting problem with the 5hp motor? Do you still have it?? Maybe we could help you out with that and you could have it and the trolling motor.

When the motor runs it runs fine. It will take spells of not starting or starts and will only run a few seconds. I have completely cleaned the carberator and it ran well after. Now it is doing the same thing, will start but only run for a few seconds. I would always start the engine prior to launching so the last time out I could not get it to run so I came home frustrated and mind made up about going electric. Since the motor is a Briggs & Stratton 5 hp I thought it would be like a lawnmower engine but the lawnmower mechanics around here will not work on it. To answer your question, I have cleaned the carberator thoroughly. Gas is getting through, sparkplug is firing, motor is only running for a few seconds at a time. And Yes, I still have it.

Have you changed the inline filter?? If its the engine I think it is an air cooled B&S vertical shaft, just like a lawnmower. Wish you were closer to Nashville, we would tackle it. Does it have a tank on it, or do you have a tank on board?? Have your run ethanol in it?? Check VERY close the fuel line. Even if they do not leak fuel they can leak air and cause a loss if vacuum and you won't get fuel. Had the same issue with a sthil chainsaw a few weeks back someone brought to me. Tried everything and had a pin hole in the fuel line. Would run a few secs and die. One last thing, does it have kill switch?? Like a lanyard?? Make sure its not shutting it off. You might temporarily bypass it to check. Normally only two wires.

May take a little time, but I bet we can work through it. If you get this way bring it by...you can PM me.

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Have you changed the inline filter?? If its the engine I think it is an air cooled B&S vertical shaft, just like a lawnmower. Wish you were closer to Nashville, we would tackle it. Does it have a tank on it, or do you have a tank on board?? Have your run ethanol in it?? Check VERY close the fuel line. Even if they do not leak fuel they can leak air and cause a loss if vacuum and you won't get fuel. Had the same issue with a sthil chainsaw a few weeks back someone brought to me. Tried everything and had a pin hole in the fuel line. Would run a few secs and die. One last thing, does it have kill switch?? Like a lanyard?? Make sure its not shutting it off. You might temporarily bypass it to check. Normally only two wires.

May take a little time, but I bet we can work through it. If you get this way bring it by...you can PM me.

Yes, it is an air cooled, vertical shaft just like a lawnmower. I have changed the fuel filter and the fuel lines. No, it does not have a fuel tank on the motor, it is one of those red portable tanks. It does have a kill switch and I have checked it by removing it and replacing it. The motor will run for a few seconds which makes me believe there is no problem with the kill switch. As far as the ethanol, I thought all gas had that which I was told by a mechanic that is the reason he stays employed. I have removed the motor from the boat but I can still check the things you mentioned. I would like to get it back to running and put it back on the boat. Thanks for the quick replies and suggestions. The local lawnmower mechanics will not touch it because it is an outboard motor and when I asked them to just get it running for me they refuse. I hate to keep working with it because I am by no means a mechanic and fear that I have just made things worse. Thanks again for the information.

Need to go fishing and forget about it.

I agree with Scrapper. Sounds like you are getting air from either your lines or there may be a hairline crack in your carburetor. Here is a list of places that sell ethanol-free gas in Arkansas. I never run ethanol in any of my small engines.
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=AR

Okay, we may be on to something now. If you have a red tank, does it have a pump up bulb?? Is it by chance an atwood?? They are really bad about cracking...you may not see it but it will let air in. Also the bulbs are bad to get hard, and the check valves fail. Have you tried to replace the hose from the tank to the engine?? Have you tried to run it without the fuel cap on it?? If its more than a couple or few years old I would go ahead and replace the hose and bulb. I know they are pricey but you'll be better off with a mercury/mariner, brp, yamaha, etc hose and bulb. They are much better quality than the atwood from walmart.

Also, pour some seafoam in the tank. I don't believe in miracles in a bottle, but that stuff is about as close as it gets. If you have 5 gallons put half a bottle in it with full fuel. It won't hurt it and will do some good.

Seafoam very good. Air leak very likely...if you replace the air line do the whole line, bulb and all. I tried to just replace a bulb once and the clips they use to put them on the fuel line are a pain to deal with. I ended up wishing I'd bought the whole line and all and just ended up using hose clamps to attach the line and bulb. As for ethanol I know guys that fish a lot who use it and say it makes no difference but when it sets it will separate and that's when problems start. If it's an older Merc like mine you've most likely gotten Very, Very angry at it already given the time of year it is and those sorry old Mercs hated cold weather! However, they usually run good once you ever get them going. If all else fails say what I do...."I won't own a motor that won't start"!

also make sure your bowl on the carb is sealed good have you checked to see if it flooding out