Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

WHY????

I have a 2000 175 Ficht that has always run great and no starting problems. I do quite a bit of stopping and starting and recently have started experiencing problems when restarting. I turn the key and the lights all come on and beep as normal and goes out but it justs cranks without starting. If I remove the cowl and try to start again, it starts like a dream (I'm a female so I can use words like dream). Put the cowling back on and off we go again. This may happen 2-3 times a day and then we might go a couple of days before having problems.

At first I thought it might have been a loose connection and when I removed the cowl it wiggled something back in place, but taking the cowl off works like a charm everytime. What are the odds of fixing the loose connection everytime the cowl comes off?

Any suggestions (other than taking it to the dealer?). I'm perplexed

Re: Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

Could loose insulation on the cieling of the cowl fall down and block the carb intake, but then again once your running all is good so that can't be it, same with the air intake if it runs with the cowl on it's something different, no pinched wires or anything like, now I'm interested.

Re: Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

sucking exhaust thru a adapter plate gasket.

Re: Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

tashasdaddy said:

sucking exhaust thru a adapter plate gasket.

Click to expand...

How can I be for sure it is an adapter plate gasket?? Is that the plate between the powerhead and the exhaust leg?? (years ago I used to work in marine parts). I'm thinking that means I have to pull the powerhead, right??

Is there any other possiblities??

Re: Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

When it will not start remove the cowl, then replace it again, now try starting it. If it was exh fumes it will start.

If it still doesn't start I'd look for sparkplug wires getting pinched or grounding out against the block or even spark jumping to the cowl latches.
Sometimes you can feel a shock when touching the latches in that situation.
Check routing of the plug wires.

If thats not the problem, go back to exh leak, look for exh soot on the inside of the cowl. Gotta be something simple.

I have a woman who works PT for me, she used to work marine parts in FL, she's got some stories.

Re: Ficht won't start unless I take cowl off

agree ^^^^, yes you have to pull power head.