1993 pontoon boat with a 40 hp Force.

[Niel_M_S]

I purchased a used 1993 20 ft pontoon boat with a Force 40 hp engine. Initially the engine would not turn over (weak starter that would not overcome the engine compression). I ran some tests on the starter and determined that the problem was the starter itself, not the wiring or the solenoid. After having the starter rebuilt (brushes were hung up) the engine cranks good. There is good spark at the plugs ( I pulled the plugs, connected them to the ignition wires, connected a ground to each plug, and cranked the engine). I got the engine to briefly start at one point, but I didn't have a water hose connected so I shut down immediately to prevent water pump damage. Since then I have not been able to get the engine to fire up again. I can hear the fuel primer solenoid click when the key is pushed in. The fuel is new, as is the 2 cycle oil. Any suggestions?

 

[roscoe]

Any suggestions?

That would be a long list, but start with the basics.
compression
spark
fuel
fuel pump
cleaned carb
broken flywheel key
kill switch
primer bulb
fuel tank pick up
fuel tank vent

 

[jerryjerry05]

MAYBE??? It sounds like the primer/choke might be defective?
Just because you hear a click doesn't mean it's working.
The "click" is the primer opening and allowing a quick shot of fuel to enrich the system and making it easier to start.
The primer has a diaphragm that can go bad and leak allowing fuel to flow unrestricted into the carb and flooding the motor.
To test: the hose from the primer to the carb. Unhook it and have someone turn the key on and push in the key. This should squirt a little fuel out of the hose. 1 push=one try at choking/priming. The key needs to be repeatedly pushed to get more fuel to the carb.
Also unhook the hose and turn the key and see if fuel comes out of the primer without pushing the key ??