outboard engine trouble

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Boat Babe

Boat Babe

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May 17, 2007
180
HUNTER 25.5 St. Augustine
I have an 8 year old 3.3 HP Mariner outboard engine that suddenly doesn't run more than 30 seconds. I've changed to new fuel and oil, cleaned the spark plug and adjusted the mixture valve but to no avail. Any suggestions? Is it work repairing or should I just buy a new one? Thanks.
 
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Herb

check it out first

Hi there I have had no problems with my outboard however I would check the following first. CHeck the fuel filter it should be in line under the cover. Is the vent cap open on the fuel source. My first time out i had to be towed in because i forgot to open the vent. is the spark plug wet when you took it out. It may be to rich next i would take it to the outboard shop and ask them to check it out but put a dollar limit like 75.00 on the charge until they tell you what the problem is that should buy you about an hour and for that they should be able to have a good idea what the problem is. If it just suddenly stopped running but starts and then won't continue to run for a period of time i would say that it is something small. Good Luck Herb S/V DayDream
 
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gagews

I recently purchased a catalina 22 with a 7hp outboard. I took it out with the previous owner then once by myself and friend. The engine would die after about 25 minutes of running and could be kept going only by pumping the gas primer. I would take the sailboat into the harbor ramming speed and coast into the slip..it was stressful to say the least. Having a flakey outboard is miserable and really can ruin your day. I decided to buy a 3hp old johnson from a marine store, it was totally rebuild for like 200.00 dollars. Works really good and feel safe with it. I am going to keep the other one on the boat as a 'kicker' next to my paddles. If you decide to keep your existing, spend the extra money and have them fix it up right so you are not stuck somewhere:) Good Luck, Gagews
 
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Bayard Gross

probably cheaper to repair than new engine

Looking at the cost of new small horsepower outboards, I think you will find it advantageous to have your engine repaired. While you are at it, it is probably a good idea to have the water pump impeller replaced as well. These do wear out after several years. There are few things today that are worth repairing. This is a by product of the many electronic gizmos we have, which when broke, are best thrown out. However, outboard engines are worth repairing, although, not necessarily in all cases.
 
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Ray Hodges

Try fixing it yourself

Steph, Sounds like your fuel pump. Either the diaphragm is shot from age or there may be a hole in it. Regardless, buy a rebuilt fuel pump (much simpler than trying to rebuild it yourself) and is cheap insurance for future performance. It usually costs about $30 to $40 and often simply bolts over a vacuum hole in the engine block. The vacuum "drives" the pump (don't forget to replace the gasket here too). There isn't much that can go wrong with a motor that size. It may not hurt to remove the carburetor and clean the jets while you're at it. Also check the fuel lines to be sure that no pin holes or cracks allow air leakage into the otherwise closed fuel system. Finally, drain the carburetor bowl as sometimes a little water in the bottom can easily go undetected and can dam the fuel flow. Good luck....Ray
 
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john renfro

o/b

hello steph, need more information. was the engin working fine on monday, and on tuesday it started acting up? or did the engin sit for months and now is not working? it sounds like a fuel supply problem john
 
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Alan

"FAST" Rule of Thumb

Hope this helps, it's a lot cheaper to repair than replace an engine. There are four basic elements to an engine Steph. An old Army pal and I like to call it "FAST" which means: "F" means fuel, "A" means air, "S" means spark, and "T" means timing. If you check all elements and narrow it down to one problem, therein lies your solution. Being unable to see your problem first hand, I would suspect you have a fuel problem which may be a fuel filter, sticky float valve, clogged fuel line, etc. Of course, that is if your problem is an "F" value. Good Luck!
 
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Jim Hanebury

Outboard Problem

Steph; I had the same problem with my Columbia it had a Honda 4 stroke. The problem turned out to be a faulty jet which costs about $10.00 for parts and I was able to install myself. Have the jet(s) in your carb checked and this should be the fix to your problem Jim
 
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Aldo

They can run Forever

Steph: At the beginning of last summer, my 1979, 6 hp, Johnson engine stopped a few feet from our slip, and I couldn't get it restarted. I had to go away on business a few days later, and didn't have time to work on it. My wife took it to the shop, and they repaired it and everything else that I wanted repaired, like the water pump impeller, the seals to the lower gearbox, and they also cleaned the top of the pistons and head. I think that the problem was with my float in the carburetor. Anyhow, when my wife dropped off the motor she asked them if they could make it last forever. They replied that they could. I believe that. A 2 cycle motor always has fresh oil lubricating it. Anyhow, I'm rather sure that what's wrong with your motor can be fixed, and since it does run, it shouldn't be too expensive. Does your motor have an external fuel tank? If it does, sometimes the "O" ring in the fuel connector goes bad, and the fuel can't be sucked out of the fuel tank. (It's like having a straw with a hole in it). If you keep pumping the primer pump will the motor keep running? If it does, I suspect that the "O" ring is bad and you should replace the connector. I have had this happen to me more than once, and now I even date my fuel connectors, so that I can have an idea of how old they are. I just had to replace one on one of my tanks this year. We have a 2 hp Mariner motor that we use on our dinghy. It's a fine little motor, but I added a little motorcycle fuel filter to the fuel line because particles kept holding the float valve open, causing the motor to leak fuel. This is a different failure mode than you are having, but if your's doesn't have a fuel filter, I recommend that you add one. That could have caused the problem that you are having, if it turns out that one of your jets is clogged. Let us know how you resolve your problem. Aldo
 
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Pete Peterson

Forever

I'm with Aldo. About 10 years ago I bought a used Johnson 9.9 that worked great. My local serviceman said it was a 1973! I just sold it last year, still working well and starting on the first pull. Don't give up on yours, especially when you see the price of new ones.
 
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