I have a sailboat I just bought and when I took it out the first time I couldn't get the motor to start. It's a basically new motor (2000). I've never worked on one before but I'm familiar with engines (rebuilt them). I pulled the plug and it was wet with gas but it never sounded like it was firing when I was turning it over. The question I have is how to test the different parts. I think it's possible the spark plug wire is bad but I'm not sure...the emergency stop switch could be stuck in the emergency setting. Any ideas and ways to test would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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no go nissan
Zeke did you make sure the emergency lanyard is hooked to the stop button it has to hold the button out it slips behind it like a "Y" or yoke to make it run and stop it if it pulls out.
Zeke did you make sure the emergency lanyard is hooked to the stop button it has to hold the button out it slips behind it like a "Y" or yoke to make it run and stop it if it pulls out.
Wet plug = unburned gas
The float in the varb could be stuck. I have a Nissan and it is very tempermental. It often has a dirty carb, also. The shop cleans the carb, new plug, new gas filter - $150.00
The float in the varb could be stuck. I have a Nissan and it is very tempermental. It often has a dirty carb, also. The shop cleans the carb, new plug, new gas filter - $150.00
OK, this is how to trouble shoot a 'spark' motor.
First, with the plug con,,,My Gawd, the ball game is on, bye. I'll get back to this later. A commercial is on. With the plug connected to its' wire, but removed from its' hole, clean and dry, properly gaped, hold the threaded body of the plug against the head where it would screw in. Make sure the ignition is ready. (Don't forget the safety clip) Now crank the engine and check for spark. If no spark, find out why. If you have spark, reinstall the plug and crank the engine with the choke open. You can do that with the plug out too. Just make sure all unburned fuel is out of the combustion chamber. Oops, commercial is over,,, Now with the engine ready to run, (plug installed) Fuel connected and carb primed, crank it and check for reasonable compression. If none, find out why. If you have reasonable compression and fuel, spark occurring at the right time,,, choke it and it's running.
First, with the plug con,,,My Gawd, the ball game is on, bye. I'll get back to this later. A commercial is on. With the plug connected to its' wire, but removed from its' hole, clean and dry, properly gaped, hold the threaded body of the plug against the head where it would screw in. Make sure the ignition is ready. (Don't forget the safety clip) Now crank the engine and check for spark. If no spark, find out why. If you have spark, reinstall the plug and crank the engine with the choke open. You can do that with the plug out too. Just make sure all unburned fuel is out of the combustion chamber. Oops, commercial is over,,, Now with the engine ready to run, (plug installed) Fuel connected and carb primed, crank it and check for reasonable compression. If none, find out why. If you have reasonable compression and fuel, spark occurring at the right time,,, choke it and it's running.
Stop button plate?
The stop button has to be held out? There's nothing there as it is and I didn't have any explanation from the owner of anything. I was suspecting something with it but I wasn't sure. I'll try putting something behind it tomorrow to hold it out and see if it starts. Thanks.
The stop button has to be held out? There's nothing there as it is and I didn't have any explanation from the owner of anything. I was suspecting something with it but I wasn't sure. I'll try putting something behind it tomorrow to hold it out and see if it starts. Thanks.
There you go Zeke
You have to have a safety clip on that button or the ignition is grounded. Shhh, don't tell anybody this,,,,in an emergency, you can make the engine run by pulling one of the safety wire connectors off its' plug. Good for times like when you lose the safety MOB ignition cut-off. Oh drat,,, we lost.
You have to have a safety clip on that button or the ignition is grounded. Shhh, don't tell anybody this,,,,in an emergency, you can make the engine run by pulling one of the safety wire connectors off its' plug. Good for times like when you lose the safety MOB ignition cut-off. Oh drat,,, we lost.
choke if cold
I have a newer four stroke 8 hp Nissan motor and it likes to be choked to start if not running for more than a short while. Stop button should have a lanyard with a clip holding the button out (when the clip is pulled the motor stops). My motor has not been temperamental, I have found it to be completely reliable, just likes choke to start first (usually) or second pull.
I have a newer four stroke 8 hp Nissan motor and it likes to be choked to start if not running for more than a short while. Stop button should have a lanyard with a clip holding the button out (when the clip is pulled the motor stops). My motor has not been temperamental, I have found it to be completely reliable, just likes choke to start first (usually) or second pull.
They had them at West Marine.
Zeke: I think that they had the kill switch lanyard at West Marine. Tohatsu or most of the other ones will probably work too.
Zeke: I think that they had the kill switch lanyard at West Marine. Tohatsu or most of the other ones will probably work too.
Outboard Checklist
My 2001 Nissan/Tohatsu 4 stroke/4hp also has a fuel shutoff switch. Make sure your have this is the open position. There should be a vent to the fuel tank. If you don't open this vent then a vacuum begins to build as fuel is removed from the tank. The tank vacuum actually prevents fuel from getting to the chamber. Nissans are water cooled. Make sure your impellor is working and there is a stream of coolant water exiting the engine. DO NOT run the engine if this is not happening. My checklist for starting my motor: 0. Connect cutoff lanyard. 1. Lower unit in water for cooling. 2. Open fuel tank vent. 3. Turn on fuel switch. 4. Neutral. 5. Choke engine. 6. 1 or 2 pulls to start. 7. Choke off. 8. Adjust throttle. 9. Check for coolant water stream. Good luck. Chris
My 2001 Nissan/Tohatsu 4 stroke/4hp also has a fuel shutoff switch. Make sure your have this is the open position. There should be a vent to the fuel tank. If you don't open this vent then a vacuum begins to build as fuel is removed from the tank. The tank vacuum actually prevents fuel from getting to the chamber. Nissans are water cooled. Make sure your impellor is working and there is a stream of coolant water exiting the engine. DO NOT run the engine if this is not happening. My checklist for starting my motor: 0. Connect cutoff lanyard. 1. Lower unit in water for cooling. 2. Open fuel tank vent. 3. Turn on fuel switch. 4. Neutral. 5. Choke engine. 6. 1 or 2 pulls to start. 7. Choke off. 8. Adjust throttle. 9. Check for coolant water stream. Good luck. Chris
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