Problem With Selva 35HP Engine

Hi all,

Someone was kind enough to help me on this forum a while back regarding a petrol leak I was having on a recently purchased Selva R400DC boat with 35 Selva Majorca Engine.

The trouble ive now got is... I took the boat out 2 weeks ago into the local harbour of which has a 4 Knot speed limit. I started it up without a problem and went up the river a bit and within 5mins it broke down, I left it for 10mins and started it up again this time it ran for around 10mins before breaking down, I then started it again 10mins later and it ran fine, I then took it down river for about 30mins and moored it up, I started it up again and within 5mins it broke down right at the entrance to the Sea within the harbour and I was officially in the S#it luckily someone helped me and I kept trying to start it and believe I flooded it I then left it for 15mins as the battery was getting flat and it started after it started that time it ran fine and I was able to get it onto the slipway (45mins away from where I was) and get it home.

I am wondering why an outboard might start OK then break down randomly and after its been running fine and I leave it for 10mins with a warm engine it might start again then break down within a few minutes? I know it could be many things but im wondering if its something to do with when its running on low revs or maybe spark plugs or similar.

The chap in the UK who specialises in Selva engines is moving business premises at the moment and wont be able to take a look for about 3 weeks he will end up carrying out the work but im just trying to put my mind at rest.

Thanks
Alex

Re: Problem With Selva 35HP Engine

We don't get a lot of questions on Selva outboards, and I had to look up the company. Looks like they make a nice range of engines. Too bad they don't export them to the USA.

Still, intermittent failures like you describe are common enough. Since the engine keeps restarting OK, runs sometimes but won't continue to run at other times, I'd look at the fuel system as a start. A restriction in the fuel lines could do this, as could a failing fuel pump. An air leak or a failure of the tank vent system could also be a culprit.

If the problem can't be found in the fuel system, then it's going to be an ignition problem. A bad connection somewhere in the system, a poor ground, or defective spark plug cables could be the cause.

Since I'm not familiar with the ignition system of those outboards, I don't know how they're set up.

It also could be a problem with the switch that shuts the engine off, either at a console or at the engine. If that switch is defective, it could intermittently short out the kill wires.

Again, a nice looking line of engines!

Re: Problem With Selva 35HP Engine

A friend of mine showed me this link because I have been telling him (and anyone that can listen) that Selva engines are if not complete junk, then the next best thing to it. I will say however that on the rare (unique??) occasions they run continuously they are very fuel efficient, compared with similar 2 strokes.

His 80hp has been a total disaster, but (its a long story so don't ask) I still gave them a chance with a 15hp I needed. I was soooooo close to buying to Yamaha, but still went for the Selva.

I own and use 4 boats extensively, 2 of them for a water access commercial property so I do have something to compare them to.

My 15 was nigh on impossible to start from the beginning. I had run it for approximately 1 hour when I decided (stupidly) that a decent run may get the starting 'issue' cleared up.

What happened to me is basically exactly what is described above. Fortunately I got towed the 6 kms home by a neighbour with an outboard that works....!!

When I got into mobile range and rang the dealer to enquire as to what the f### was the problem with it now I was told 'ahh yes, they are a little bit faulty like that.......it is a ??thermo sensor?? problem'

My anger is that I now know intimately 2 of these 'engines' and they have both had similar very very poor operational characteristics. I was dumb enough to know better, but still bought one. Do not fall into the same trap!

I have yet to receive any money from the returned motor, and have put the whole incident as far from my mind as I can.

DO NOT BUY A SELVA UNTIL THEY DO SOMETHING DRASTIC TO IMPROVE. AS OF 2007 THEY ARE EXTREMELY AWKWARD, OILY AND LARGE BOAT ANCHORS.

Re: Problem With Selva 35HP Engine

Strange, i have a 90 hp selva montecarlo which is ten years old and the most reliable outboard i have ever had, so much so that i don`t bother with an auxiliary any more. I previously had a six year old mariner 75 which broke down every time i went out! Any outboard that is`nt serviced at regular intervals by a competent person will become unreliable.