Help Needed outboard wont start

[keen_angler]

Hi Guys,
I am having trouble starting my outboard, it is a 2001 Yamaha 2 stroke 70hp.

When I turn the key it is cranking over but will not start, have changed the spark plugs.

I have tested and it doesn't seem to be any sparks going to the spark plugs, so am assuming it is some sort of electrical fault.

Is there anyone that could shed some light on what to check next.

Or recommend someone to check it out for me, don't mind travelling to find someone who knows what they are doing, I am on the southside of brisbane (Runcorn)

Thanks in advance

[blaze]

check man overboard lanyard first
cheers
blaze

[finga]

As Blaze has said check that first.
Then it's a process of elimination.
Has there been any troubles or signs of trouble before??

[mally]

mate,check your stator.

[BM]

Yes I agree re the lanyard.

Very common cause of "no fire". Stator trouble is quite uncommon on Yamaha engines. In fact ignition component trouble overall is quite rare with Yams. Salted up internals are not so rare though unfortunately

Also check your battery is fully charged, terminals are clean and connections are tight. This is very inportant.

Cheers

[Ryan.S]

Possibly coils or bad fuel. Have had both happen to me.

[keen_angler]

Had the call from the mechanic to give me the news, the problem was with the choke not working/faulty.

Well the damage for this is $775 it took them 3 days to find the problem.

Thanks for all your help

[timddo]

WTF $775 for the choke. I wonder how long it will take to rectify a faulty spark plug.

[BM]

The choke not adjusted correctly is an issue for Yams (and Chyslers) although an out of adjustment choke won't casue you to lose spark.

Are you sure you lost spark??

[FNQCairns]

it took them 3 days to find the problem.

And took 10 years off the life of your starter motor!!

Overall thats just terrible how much was the parts only?

You know the choke is pretty close to the second part of the engine to check if it doesn't start from cold, some would say the first part!!

cheers fnq

[keen_angler]

The old man went and picked up the boat for me and asked the guys what would have caused the problem, they told him that it was bad fuel, not just a bad batch but over time.

Now my question is where should I fill up fuel, I usually fill up only at Shell or BP, how long should I keep the fuel in before I drain and completely change it.

Secondly, would bad fuel kill the choke.

[marty+jojo]

Had the call from the mechanic to give me the news, the problem was with the choke not working/faulty.

Well the damage for this is $775 it took them 3 days to find the problem.

Thanks for all your help

F##$ that is a hell of a lot of money and time, i would be looking for a new mechanic.
Marty.

[Petere]

I have the same motor and if it sits for a while it takes a bit to start( 2 - 3 mins of cranking on and off). As for bad fue lin my small tinnie got a batch from fr####m fuels their cheap stuff by mistake and it caused all sorts of problems, it even pitted out the plugs. I now only run premium unleaded in my outboards from only shell or BP. As for a mechanic down your way, try Des Hughes at North Rd Underwood( Just behind the BP on Compton rd). My old man has dealt with him for years and has never had a problem.

[BM]

I think you were had keen angler.

Bad fuel cannot affect the choke. The problem Yam's have with their choke is that the positioning of the solenoid alters slightly over time with vibration etc and that movement of the solenoid means the choke butterflies do not fully close off the intakes to the carbs and it results in very hard to start engines.

You will of course still have spark but will crank for a long time to get it to fire as its not rich enough to start.

If I was looking at your engine the first thing would be test compression. The second thing would be test spark on all pots and the third thing would be make sure I had fuel to the engine and the fuel smelt good.

If I have those 3 "essential for operation" items then the next stop is the choke...

Now on the subject of fuel and it is repeated time and time again here and on other forum sites "DONT USE OLD FUEL".

Fuel has a lifespan of about 8 weeks, less in warmer climates such as you boys up north. Premixed fuel has a life of around 2 weeks.

You cannot add "fresh" fuel to "stale" fuel and expect it to make a "happy mix". Doesn't happen. Theres still harmful compounds present caused by the degradation of the fuel.

Cheers

[Simmo2]

Hey guys, sorry to 'hijack' this thread, however my question is in line with the thread title!
My Yam 40, 2002 model is hard to start only when cold. I use premium fuel with yamalube, the motor is used at least weekly.
Even when I bought the boat, the bloke said 'it always takes 4 pulls to start it when cold'.
I put new plugs in it as soon as I bought it, but still it will take 4 (or more!) pulls to get it to go. Once it has been started, it will start with half a pull all day.
(Yes I do pump the bulb before first start.!!)
I am thinking choke issues, but havent had time to look. Are there any common issues with these 3 cyl yammies?