cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

BOATAFLOAT

Recruit
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5
Appreciate suggestions for sailing vessel held up until issue resolved with dingy. Mechanism to pull for starting engine is locked. Rope holds tight.

We can move gears from Neutral to Forward, but only can put in Reverse position when the top [the component with rope] is removed. Cannot manually turn starter pulley.

Therefore, we sense that this is a safety mechanism issue. We have reset and removed the starter lock wire with no change in symptoms. Suggestions appreciated. Thank you!

Nissan outboard NSF 9.8 Manual
 

gvnitup

Cadet
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
11
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

If I understand you correctly, Your saying when trying to pull start the engine. (Wrapping the rope around the flywheel and pulling) the flywheel will not turn, and is locked up? If so, Something is wrong, weather the motor is in gear or not you should be able to turn the flywheel by hand, at least a little. Take the spark plugs out, you should be able to turn it in gear, out of gear gears don't matter.. Should be easy to turn with the plugs out..
 

BOATAFLOAT

Recruit
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

Thank you for your quick reply - we are removing them now... will report back.
 

BOATAFLOAT

Recruit
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

Reporting back. Spark plugs removed, but same issue. Cannot pull starter cord beyond a few inches and cannot put in reverse gear. Other advise that we might try...
 

BOATAFLOAT

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Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
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Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

Hello again. Starting to think over oiling is related issue. Spray coming from spark plug space [ plugs removed] as cord is pulled, we can pull cord farther now but not smoothly. Have soaked up oil with paper towel. If any of this sounds familiar, advice, suggestions appreciated.

Thank you and kind regards.
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

Sounds like maybe you layed the engine on the wrong side and the engine oil ran into the cylinders. Check you engine oil, if needed, completely drain and only add what is called for, usually about 1 qt, my 9.9 Yamaha doesn't take a whole qt. When you get it freed up, keep pulling the starter rope with the plugs out and clear out the oil from the cylinders. Then try to start it. You might have to use new plugs if the old ones are oil soaked and not firing.
 

gvnitup

Cadet
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
11
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

If it has an automatic oiling system, and the engine had laid in an improper position. It is possible that oil was let into the cylinder. After removing the plugs it should be easier to turn the engine over. If an unusual amount of oil comes out of the cylinders it may be best if the oiling system is checked by a shop. Exactly how much oil came out, did the engine get any easier to turn? How long has it been since the engine was ran?
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

gvnitup
Cadet
your post seems to indicate your are talking about a 2 stroke engine, I think he has a 4 stroke engine, BOATAFLOAT, correct me if I am wrong here.
 

pvanv

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
6,559
Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

Assuming you have a 9.8 4-stroke (the model from the sticker on the lower cowl would help us diagnose this a lot!), the problem is likely crankcase oil in the cylinders, causing liquid lock.

An overfilled crankcase (this motor has a total capacity of 0.8 quarts) can cause this, as can laying the motor down of the wrong side. Hang the motor up correctly, check oil (can't be even a drop overfilled), remove plugs, and cycle motor to expel oil from cylinders. Then see what is what.

The LU will not necessarily go into any gear if the driveshaft isn't turning.

The start-in-neutral mechanism will prevent cranking in gear.

Do NOT try starting with a liquid lock. I repaired one of these last season, and it was a very costly repair.

This information is in the owner's manual, available at http://www.nissanmarine.com/tech_talk/owners_manuals.html
 

BOATAFLOAT

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Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
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Re: cannot pull to start or engage in reverse

What a wonderful Forum and thank you to everyone who jumped in to assist us with excellent advice. We are new cruisers on a 38' catamaran and felt stranded without our dinghy. The advice was superb. It turned out to indeed be excess oil in the cylinders, caused by transitting from the Gulf side of Florida to Ft Lauderdale with the outboard stored on the WRONG side in the cockpit. A lesson well learned by these newbie Canadian cruisers!

We have had the engine serviced by a qualified shop today and our 3 year old Nissan 9.8 is running great. An expensive lesson to be sure but wanted to close out our post by again extending our sincere thanks to all of who took the time to send your valuable advice. Hopefully other newbies, seeing the conclusion of our adventure, will learn by our mistakes and your collective excellent commentary.

Cheers all!
 
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