Yammy F115 won't start!

Ovey · 30 December 2014, 16:29

Having started the engine fine on the drive on Saturday, I launched the boat today to find the engine wouldn't start!

On turning the ignition to the first position there was a repeated click-click-click-click......... until turning the key to start. The engine then turned but wouldn't fire. Fuel lines were fine & the bulb was primed. A marine engineer who works near the slip had a very quick look & suggested it may be the fuel pump but would have to have a proper look to be sure. The engine was serviced in late July, used in August and September (two trips total) then sat on the drive til today.

I'm toying with changing the fuel pump myself then trying the engine before I throw money at a mechanic.

Am I looking in the right place or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.

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HDAV · 30 December 2014, 18:54

Checked sparks at plugs and HT leads for splits cracks etc, starter engaging properly etc

Ovey · 30 December 2014, 22:12

All looked good on Saturday but I didn't check today tbh. I'll have a look tomorrow when I start some deeper investigation. Thanks for the pointer.

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jyasaki · 31 December 2014, 05:15

F115? I think there are 2 fuel pumps, Low pressure (draws fuel from tank to motor) and high pressure to feed the injector rail. If it was the LP pump, you should get it to start by pumping the primer bulb while cranking the motor. I think you can check the HP rail by venting the schrader valve at the top and seeing if you release any pressure (not sure of that one.)

jky

Did you have the killcord attached? Make sure it's in neutral?

Ovey · 31 December 2014, 12:15

Yes, the kill cord was attached and it was in neutral. (Fortunately the mechanic who had a look pulled the kilcord and re-attached it to check and got the same results - proving I wasn't being stupid! lol).

I might not get a chance to look today as I'm doing family stuff - maybe later in the week or over the weekend now. But thanks so far!

yam man · 31 December 2014, 14:25

Put a meter on the fuel pump plug on top on the fuel vaporiser. If 12v's is showing then yes the pump is shot. Secondly check the fuse

boristhebold · 31 December 2014, 14:54

Its been very cold recently, if its going click click click sounds like kill cord is ok as it trying to start up. whatabout the primer bulb, maybe mosture and freezing pipes ? perhaps not, I guess best start with a list of possible points and logicaly check all in turn till you find the issue.

Ovey · 01 January 2015, 16:00

Thanks to everyone for their advice! I started the boat on the drive today - two turns and sweet as a nut!

I checked all the fuel lines, filters, pumps & HT leads - all clean and in good order.

I can only assume condensation in the fuel lines (from starting it up on Saturday) had frozen and blocked the lines?!?

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jyasaki · 03 January 2015, 08:34

Water is the only thing that will freeze, which would mean you have other problems that should be addressed.

Boris: If I'm not mistaken, the Yam's will crank with the killcord out; it just kills the spark (I think. If I remember tomorrow, I'll check that.) The start-in-gear protection will cause a turn of the key to do absolutely nothing (again, as I recall.)

jky

Ovey · 03 January 2015, 10:26

I'm not sure what the problem was I'm just guessing condensation froze somewhere before the water separator after 4 days of sub zero temperatures.

I took everything apart, checked it, cleaned it & put it back together. It has started 3 times perfectly since, albeit in warmer temperatures, so I'm unable to recreate any fault. As far as I'm concerned I have a perfectly working engine again, but I will keep an eye out for anything in the next few trips.

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lukewhiting · 03 January 2015, 18:47

I had the same thing with my yamaha 115hp v4. Narrowed it down to dampness in the coils.

I took them off, kept them in the house for a day, sprayed wd40 in the caps and worked perfectly straight away!

Chris · 03 January 2015, 19:24

If it cranked but did not fire at all after so recently running then 99% it will be ignition related...

Kill cord switch or wiring would be a prime suspect for me, if you can't replicate the problem, it might be worth carrying a jumper that will enable you bypass the kill switch if it happens again.

Ovey · 04 January 2015, 11:52

Ok, I'll bear both those comments in mind. Thanks guys!

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