Port side engine won't restart after running

[Bonefish]

I have twin 175's. Each engine starts initially and runs fine. After I turn the engines off, the port engine will not restart immediately. It turns over, but will not catch. I have tried choking and not choking during separate occurrences. I'm guessing it is a spark plug issue or carbs and might be flooded? If I let the port engine sit for about 30 mins it will restart. Any thoughts? It is a naturally aspirated 2-stroke.

If anyone has some insight I would appreciatte it.

Thanks,
Ted

[MrHunters]

im no expert but since it starts right up after 30 minutes im guessing it's being flooded. this is every time?

[Bonefish]

Has happened the last three outings. I'm thinking you may be right. I think I will replace th eplugs tonight and then see what happens. If it continues I might get the Carbs cleaned. Thanks for the reply

[MrHunters]

check the distributor cap too.. might be getting wet?
do you know if your getting spark when this happens??

[Bonefish]

When it has happened I have not been in a position to take the cover off. 4ft swells. So, I'm not sure. I need to make sure all connections are tight and the spark is good. The more I think about it if the carbs were bad it would probably flood while I was running it. That has not happened yet.

[MrHunters]

Originally Posted by Bonefish

When it has happened I have not been in a position to take the cover off. 4ft swells. So, I'm not sure. I need to make sure all connections are tight and the spark is good. The more I think about it if the carbs were bad it would probably flood while I was running it. That has not happened yet.

thats where i would lean too, just throwing out other ideas... and things that have happened to me.

[Bonefish]

Well, I tightened all the connections. Fuel Line, Oil, Etc. I changed the plugs and ran it for 15 minutes at which point it cut out. Same problem. It would not start back up and it would turnover. I opened the throttle in nuetral and tried to start it that way to see if it was flooded and it would not start. I'm thinking it might be time to take it to the shop unless someone has another idea.

[MrHunters]

that sucks man... how old is the motor/make?

did you do this in your yard or on the water?

did you confirm your getting spark after it cuts out?

if its easy to pop the distrib cap id look at if its getting wet, possible bad hose? (happened to me) sprayed water all over the motor the cap had a 1/4 full of water.

when you pull a plug see if it has any gas on the plug.

i still think its somehow related to gas or spark....in my non expert opinion

[CJ Johnson]

Does it have a fiberglass tank? If so and the gas you are using has ethenal in it the resins in the tank may be deteriating and blocking the pick up screen in the tank. It has been happening to a lot of people lately. A few people I know are having carb and fuel injector problems due to the new additives in the gas.

[MrHunters]

Originally Posted by CJ Johnson

Does it have a fiberglass tank? If so and the gas you are using has ethenal in it the resins in the tank may be deteriating and blocking the pick up screen in the tank. It has been happening to a lot of people lately. A few people I know are having carb and fuel injector problems due to the new additives in the gas.

did some asking around and got this response to an ethonal problem

"Pull one of the fuel filters,dump it in a clear glass jar and look for white specks.If you see that,chances it made it to the fuel pumps.Thats trouble!"

[Bonefish]

Thanks Guys.

It is a 2002 Johnson 175 2-stroke

The tank is not fiberglass.

I have an inspection bowl on the fuel filter and it has been getting some water but I have been draining it. I spoke with a couple of mechanics and they thought I might have some water in the carbs. I have a drain on the carbs that I can pull. That is my next step. If the problem is still there. I will pull her out of the water and bring it to the shop.

[Bonefish]

OK..last post on this topic until I find out what the problem was. I drained the bowls in all the carbs and added Seafoam to the tank. No go. it cut out after 10 minutes. I'm headed to the shop. Thanks for everyone's help

[Raven]

the reason why
can help others in
the future

[MrHunters]

^^^
agreed... plus we want to see how good our guesses are

crossing my fingers it doesnt cost too much for ya.... relatively speaking of course

[teaser]

Bonefish,

I talked with my mechanic and he said it sounds like it's starving for gas not flooding and to check the gas lines to see if there's a crimp, or check the fuel pump for that engine but hope it's not that because it's a very expensive fix if its that.

Good luck!

[Bonefish]

As promised here is what the issue was. Broken "Optical sensor". $70.00

It was replaced and it is good to go. Thanks for everybody's help

[MrHunters]

thats a relief... ill take a 70 dollar fix any day...

[TheReelThing]

Bonefish - Last summer my 1997 Evinrude 150 had the same problem, except it took my mechanic 6 hours to figure it out. You got off cheap, it cost me $600 for a $70 optical sensor. When mine went bad, the boat would start and then rev at 3000 RPM. It eventually came back down, but then I could not start it. It would not catch at all. Glad to hear that your guy found the problem right away.

[zacs]

wtf is an optical sensor?

[TheReelThing]

No idea, but I think that it regulates the fuel. Under the cover if the engine, it says says something like Optical Technology. The mechanic said all he did was replace the optical sensor.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by zacs

wtf is an optical sensor?

Sounds like some type of pick up or cam/crank sensor. Probably looks at engine rotation off the cam or crank.

[MrHunters]

wtf is an optical sensor?

sounds like a quick way to make 600 bucks..... if you need it