new engine issues - cranking but not turning over

(dubsac) · (dubsac) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 09-05-2009, 6:26 PM

We launched our boat today and it started right away but stalled out after 15-20 seconds - after that it would crank fine but would not turn over. Fortunately there is a dock right near the ramp and we got the boat tied up. We tried to start the engine several more times, then it started to rain. We were about to go back home, but I decided to try one last time and the engine turned right over. We ran it for several minutes in neutral at 2000 RPM and higher with no problem at all.

Unfortunately a thunderstorm was coming in so we had to head home and leave the boat at the dock. As soon as it cleared up we went back to the boat but it would not turn over. After 10 attempts or so it turned over once, but stalled out after a few seconds. Afterwards it would not turn over again.

It is a brand new engine and the fuel pump is brand new as well. Any ideas? Of course it is a holiday weekend and we won't be able to get in touch with the dealer until Tuesday. Any suggestions or thoughts that might get us up and running for Sunday and Monday are much appreciated! Thanks.

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 09-05-2009, 7:17 PM

Water in the gas? If the boat was sitting for a long time that could be it. Maybe it needs a fuel filter
You'll need a boost to get it going again. Cranking kills the battery pretty quick
I don't have any great ideas but maybe that's a start.

(imx) · (imx) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 09-05-2009, 8:01 PM

Being a new engine,I would check all the connections for the electrical and ignition systems. It sounds like something intermittent which can often be a bad connection somewhere. If it was water in fuel you would still be able to turn the engine over unless you flatten the battery with cranking

(denystaucd) · (denystaucd) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 09-05-2009, 8:55 PM

new engine = fresh paint = bad grounds..

Give all the grounds a once over...their pretty easy to find on a boat engine.

Cheers...

(wake_upppp) · (wake_upppp) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 09-08-2009, 6:47 PM

Cranking and turning over are the same thing no? I'm a little confused as to what exactly it's doing, or not doing in this case...

(99_slaunch) · (99_slaunch) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 09-08-2009, 6:55 PM

^^^HAHA I was thinking the same thing. It is cranking/turning over but won't fire/run is what I got out of that. Dennis and Paul had good ideas.

(dubsac) · (dubsac) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 09-08-2009, 7:53 PM

Thanks guys for all your suggestions.. Paul had it. We played with the connections Sunday morning, and after unplugging and re-plugging some connections at the ignition it started right away. I'm not even sure which connection was the bad one, but something reset and it fired right up afterwards and for the rest of the weekend. I did mean to say crank but would not fire - sorry for the confusion.

(wake_upppp) · (wake_upppp) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 09-08-2009, 8:51 PM

No prob. Glad you were able to save the weekend!

(imx) · (imx) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 09-09-2009, 5:43 AM

No worries, hope you didn't lose too much time on the water.