Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
1. Empty Gas Tank
Fix: Calibrating Your Fuel Gauge
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
2. Gas Tank Air Vent Not Open
Fix: Inspect the Boat Before Attempting to Start
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
3. Fuel Lines Kinked or Severely Pinched
Fix: Choose the Right Hoses for Your Boat
Advertisement
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
4. Water or Dirt in Fuel System
Fix: Installing a Fuel/Water Separator
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
5. Clogged Fuel Filter or Screens
Fix: Select the Proper Fuel Filter
6. Motor Not Being Choked to Start
Fix: Check the Choke
Advertisement
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
7. Engine Not Primed – Pump Primer System
Fix: Important Fuel System Checks
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
8. Carburetor Adjustments Too Lean (not allowing enough fuel to start engine)
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
9. Timing and Synchronizing Out of Adjustment
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Advertisement
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
10. Manual Choke Linkage Bent – Auto Choke Out of Adjustment.
Fix: Check the Choke
11. Spark Plugs Improperly Gapped, Dirty or Broken
Fix: Properly Installing Spark Plugs
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
12. Fuel Tank Primer Inoperative (pressurized system)
Advertisement
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
13. Ignition Points Improperly Gapped, Burned or Dirty
Fix: Check the Ignition System
14. Loose, Broken Wire or Frayed Insulation in Electrical System
Fix: Electrical Repairs Checklist
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
15. Reed Valves Not Seating or Stuck Shut
Fix: Inspect the Boat Before Attempting to Start
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
16. Weak Coil or Condenser
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
17. Cracked Distributor Cap or Rotor or Shorted Rotor
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
18. Loose Fuel Connector
Fix: Check the Fuel Lines
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
19. Poor Engine or Ignition Ground
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
20. Faulty Ignition or Safety Switch
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
21. Slow Cranking Speed
Fix: Determine What Engine Problems are Really Serious
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
22. Low Voltage to Ignition, When Cranking
Fix: Check the Ignition System
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
23. Low Compression
Fix: Check Compression
Top 25 Reasons Your Boat’s Engine Won’t Start
24. Safety Lanyard/Kill Switch Disconnected
Fix: Install & Check the Kill Switch