Some mistakes really suck

[LloydB]

I forgot to open the portable gas tank vent valve and created a vacuum which shut the engine off as if it had been shut down by the kill switch. I had been motoring along at higher RPM and longer than usual to make a meeting. I thought it ran out of gas so sailed to the pump (ghosting) and found my error when I pulled the tank to fill it. After topping the tank and reconnecting it pumped the bulb and restarted the motor and it took off for about 10 seconds and died again. Attempted a restart several times: bulb,choke,line check, more and less throttle waited 10 min, but not even a pop. Guesed it was flooded but was late and tools not handy and still needed to put away and leave. How should I have proceeded after refueling and/or what might I look for if it doesn't start normally next weekend?
9.9hp 4cycle outboard

 

[Johnb]

I had a BF100 (Honda) and

1 If warm do not use the choke
2 Double check it is truly in neutral when trying to start otherwise you will pull till your arms fall off.

 

[capejt]

Don't let it get you down. I think everybody who's ever run an outboard has done the same thing at least once. I know I have. It IS embarrassing, but it happens.

 

[Ron20324]

Don't let it get you down. I think everybody who's ever run an outboard has done the same thing at least once. I know I have. It IS embarrassing, but it happens.

+1. Yeah, like forgetting to put the kill switch key on I learned, though, that you can bypass the kill switch.

 

[patrickfarley]

I can't imagine why your engine would not restart after you stopped the suction and got fuel to the carb. When my engine runs for a few seconds and then stops I usually think that it is not getting the right fuel mixture in the carb or it is not getting enough fuel to the carb.

On my old outboards if flooded I could turn it to full throttle and pull a few times. This would put a lot of air in the cylinders and un-flood the engine.

With my newer motor there is an interlock to prevent me from opening the throttle when not in gear. When I flooded it I had to wait(I bought it non-working and the carb had a blockage in a line that was causing me fits. I flooded it several times while trying to get it running.) The only other option is to carry a wrench and take the plugs out, wipe them down with a paper towel and I pull the engine a few times to clear the cylinders(don't know if it helps).
I always try to carry extra spark plugs, oil(gear and engine), spare fuel filter, clamps, various ss screws and bolts, rope, bungies, sealant and a plug.

I broke down once 100yards from the dock at Big Pass in Sarasota. This was during the off shore races. The off shore racers use Big Pass to get to the Gulf of Mexico. My throttle linkage lost a tiny tiny pin. After a 30 minutes of bouncing from the wakes I was able to put the linkage together and use the tip of a needle to act as a pin to hold the linkage together. Then the engine started. While I was pulling up the anchor the engine died and would not start. After another 30 minutes of bouncing in the wakes I finally figured out that I had knocked off the fuel line while working on the engine. I started the engine and the return spring broke. The engine was running. I quickly pulled up the anchor and hit the dock. Luckily I had not kids on the boat that day. Anyone want to buy a 10hp Evinrude? It has a new return spring.

 

[Ward H]

Sounds like you might have sucked up some dirt with the extra suction? Been there, done that.

 

[capta]

I second the dirt idea. Probably time to clean the fuel system thoroughly, and clean and gap (or change) the plugs.

 

[agprice22]

Try spraying some starter fluid in the carb. This will bypass the jets. If it starts for a second, you have clogged the jets. If it doesn't, you probably have a spark problem. I think that is unlikely.

Clean the carb. Spray it with starter fluid. Start the engine on high power, and seal the carb with your hand. It will force fuel through the jets. If that doesn't work after a few times, you may need to rebuild the carb

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Spraying carb cleaner into the carb may or may not work speaking of the small outboards under 10 hp. I use to take the carb off and strip it down cleaning with 2 plus 2 carb cleaner as there are a couple of tubes that spraying into the carb alone will not clean. If done correctly and without adjusting anything, the engine started everytime except for the one I had old no good gas that was given to me. Cleaned that carb again and told owner to get new fresh gas at the marina which did not have ethanol. He squacked about the cost of clear gas vs. ethanol but after a hard to hard talk, he bought me a beer and thanked me for some good advice.

 

[Ray Bowles]

When you do try to start the engine really give the cord a good pull. My B.I.L. would pull his starter cord like it was dental floss and then ***** about his mechanic that tuned it up. When I'd tire of listening and he'd huff off I'd give the 9.9 a serious pull and she'd spring to life. A lesson he never learned. After his passing his wife wanted me to have the engine since it wasn't any good. It's still ticking.
Ray

 

[Dougo]

I had a BF100 (Honda) and

1 If warm do not use the choke
2 Double check it is truly in neutral when trying to start otherwise you will pull till your arms fall off.

My screwup: when stalling while underway, it IS very easy to forget the motor's in gear once you're ready to restart. My Honda had me baffled once - but only once!

BTW: I forget the fuel vent all too often, just like everything else lately

 

[LloydB]

UPDATE
It must have sucked in some debris because starter fluid got it to pop but it wouldn't keep going. Thought plugged fuel line so cleared it through to last filter and engine started running for a few short times 5-25 sec each try. Still had to use starter fluid at first but I finally gave up as it went back to popping only with starter fluid. I could not see how to remove the carburetor to clean ports while boat in the water as it wasn't apparent how to remove the lower shroud so as to get at it. 2003 Johnson 9.9 4/c

 

[Alec]

You might want to see if the fuel pump can be removed & check to see if the rubber diaphragm has a tiny split in it. Also, before removing the whole carb sometimes you can just unscrew the main jet & have a look at it. It only takes an impossibly small spec of crud in one of the tiny holes in the jet to totally screw it up. M2C