After running fine, engine won't start

[Willey Gilligan]

1993 Sylvan Barritz 188
MerCruiser 4.3L Alpha1 Gen2
Engine S/N: 0F016443
Transom S/N: 0F053082
Stern Drive S/N: 0D883496

Last weekend ran the boat for about an hour. Engine was turned off and on about 3 or 4 times, due to kids getting in/out from skiing. Started, ran, shut down, repeat - No problems.

Yesterday, ran about 1.5 hours, same thing.

Today, ran for about an hour. On approx the 3rd shut down, engine sputtered about 10 seconds before shutting down. Started right up after that. On the 4th shut down, sputtered about 15 seconds before shutting down. Engine would not turn over after that. Battery is good, and I get a click from the solenoid, but nothing else.

Any ideas or suggestions as to what might be happening?
Thanks in advance.

 

[45Auto]

Re: After running fine, engine won't start

How do you know the battery is good?

 

[Bondo]

Re: After running fine, engine won't start

On the 4th shut down, sputtered about 15 seconds before shutting down. Engine would not turn over after that. Battery is good, and I get a click from the solenoid, but nothing else.

Ayuh,... Get the sparkplugs Out of it,+ it'll turn over.... Then oil the cylinders....
Sounds like it Dieseled,+ Sucked water back into the cylinders....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: After running fine, engine won't start

That sputtering you heard just before shutdown is called "run on". It can, as pointed out result in water being sucked into the cylinders thus locking the engine. Water does not compress -- hence the "can't turn over" issue.

In the future, always allow the engine to idle for a minute or two before shutting it off. also be certain the idle speed is properly set.