2009 Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke pull cord problem

[tgr23]

Yesterday and today after running the motor in the morning (short run of 10 minutes), when I went to restart a few hours later the pull chord would only pull out a foot or so and then abruptly stop. Sort of acts like the safety cable that won't let the motor start when it's in gear. But I can pull it out much further than that. It's not enough to start the motor though. I've been able to eventually get it to fully pull out but not the same way each time. Any idea where to start looking for this issue?
Thanks

 

[99yam40]

if you are positive the start in gear preventer is not the problem
I would pull the spark plugs
if removing the plugs helps the motor to spin free, inspect for water intrusion.

another thing to look into is the lower unit locking up.
drop the lower unit to see if that will allow the motor to turn

 

[robert graham]

Remove,check, lubricate if necessary your pull start mechanism.....they can get sticky with time....as 99yam40 mentioned, removing the plugs and giving it a try would be a good place to start troubleshooting

 

[tgr23]

The engine/lower unit are not locked up. Each time it does this I eventually get it started and it runs fine. To remove the pull start mechanism is that just the bolts on top of the engine? I won't accidently uncoil anything will I? Thanks for the help!!

 

[99yam40]

something is stopping the motor from turning.
if water gets into a cylinder it will act like that.
pull the plugs and inspect the next time it does that.

or see if you can turn the motor/flywheel by hand the next time it stops moving with the rope

 

[Sea Rider]

If the gear lock is working right, do you feel rope resistance when pulling the cord, will the T handle return to its resting position after jamming up ? Remove the assy, flip it and have a close look, check the plastic pawl isn't broken or anytihing else out of place. Nope won't uncoil anything....

Happy Boating​

 

[tgr23]

Yesterday when it locked up I pulled the cord out to where it abruptly stopped (about 16inches) and held tension there. It slowly pulled past the sticking point. After that I could pull the starter cord all the way to start it. Weird. I'll remove the assembly next to see what's happening under there. Thanks

 

[99yam40]

Yesterday when it locked up I pulled the cord out to where it abruptly stopped (about 16inches) and held tension there. It slowly pulled past the sticking point. After that I could pull the starter cord all the way to start it. Weird. I'll remove the assembly next to see what's happening under there. Thanks

that sounds a lot like water getting into a cylinder to me

 

[tgr23]

Well dang. Everything seems to be in order with the underside of the pull cord assembly. Engine only stuck once yesterday but I did notice when it finally started a bunch of blobby deposits in the exhaust. Engine started right up this morning.
The bigger picture is I’m in the Bahamas till mid June without a repair option. If it is water getting in the cylinder can I keep using the engine if I can keep it running?

 

[Sea Rider]

If there's water getting in the cylinder will see oxidation on the spark plug tip clear indication of water intrusion. Check your spark plugs. condition ? Other issue to account for is that's a 12 year oldie Yammy which will guarantee haven't had the cylinder head retorqued to specs since out of the box in which case scenario can expect water intrusion, how much impossible to determine.

Meanwhile as you don't count with a torque wrench to torque back the cylinder head to specs, remove the carb's noise cover buy a can of CRC decarbonizer if locally available and follow the can's decarbon procedure, should smooth out the sticking issue...

Happy Boating​

 

[99yam40]

Well dang. Everything seems to be in order with the underside of the pull cord assembly. Engine only stuck once yesterday but I did notice when it finally started a bunch of blobby deposits in the exhaust. Engine started right up this morning.
The bigger picture is I’m in the Bahamas till mid June without a repair option. If it is water getting in the cylinder can I keep using the engine if I can keep it running?

what does a bunch of blobby deposits mean?
Have you pulled the spark plugs to look at them and what comes out of the plug hole if you spin the motor without the plugs in?
You need to find out if water is getting into the combustion chamber , before worrying about what to do if it is.

Could the blobby deposits be excess oil?
is this a premix motor or oil injected?

 

[tgr23]

Ok I’ll pull the plugs this afternoon and take a look.
I actually do carry a torque wrench! Those are the 10mm bolts aroind the spark plugs? What’s the torque setting? I have limited internet here. Thanks!!!

 

[tgr23]

what does a bunch of blobby deposits mean?
Have you pulled the spark plugs to look at them and what comes out of the plug hole if you spin the motor without the plugs in?
You need to find out if water is getting into the combustion chamber , before worrying about what to do if it is.

Could the blobby deposits be excess oil?
is this a premix motor or oil injected?

This is premix oil. 50:1. Yamalube only.
I was assuming the “blobby” bubble exhaust in the water could be from the cylinders clearing out after I had to pull the starter a bunch to start.

 

[Sea Rider]

Ok I’ll pull the plugs this afternoon and take a look.
I actually do carry a torque wrench! Those are the 10mm bolts aroind the spark plugs? What’s the torque setting? I have limited internet here. Thanks!!!

Check if with at least with 25NM each, hope the bolts has not been stuck salted already, if so will think that the torque remains OK but won't be torquing anything. CRC will remove most of the carbon built up that has been collected through the boating years and will smooth out the motor...

Happy Boating​