40hp merc. Ran for 5 seconds, now it wont start.

[Acorn69]

I have a 40hp, 4cyl, 2 stroke 1992 Merc. It ran great all last year. I started it last wknd, it ran about 5 seconds and then died. I tried to start it and it would'nt go. I have spark in all 4 cylinders (put new plugs in anyways), gas is getting to the carbs (I even put a drop of mixed fuel/oil diectly in the spark plug holes and I could not get it to fire once. Compression seams okay put I didn't test it, only covered up the plug holes with my thumb. I thought it may have been flooded so I left it till the next day and tried again and still no go, once again tried some gas in the plug holes and nothing.

As I said at the beginning it started the first time and then nothing. Am I missing something obvious here?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 40hp merc. Ran for 5 seconds, now it wont start.

My guess is the carb/carbs are in need of a rebuild kit.Are the pluygs wet with fuel after you try to crank it?

 

[Acorn69]

Re: 40hp merc. Ran for 5 seconds, now it wont start.

Thanks for the reply! The plugs do appear wet after cranking. This morning I sprayed a small amount of fuel in both carbs and it would not fire. I'm okay with doing the carbs but for my own learning benifit why do you suspect carburation as a possible problem? The lower carb was dripping a bit of fuel so I guess flooding is a possibility however if thats the case after letting it sit for a couple days should I have least not got it to fire?

All advise is appreciated!