Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

[Stroth]

OK:

I have read a ton of the threads here and gotten some great info., but I still cannot fix my problem, so I am hoping some others out there can help me.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

I have a sears Gamefisher Motor, that I just bought used. It has the model # 225581998. I believe the 1998 refer to the year of make, but I am not positive.

When I bought it, it demonstrated fine. I took it home, set it down (on its side I know this is wrong, but I am telling the truth) for about a week and then started it up fine again.

Today, I took it out, to try to run it again, after I realized that it was most likely not good for it to sit for too long on its side.

Now I cannot get it to start at all. Nothing, zippo. I thought I may have flooded it so I let it sit for a few hours and then tried it again, still nothing.

Any advice or tips? Obviously I am a complete idiot with motors, that's pretty clear from this post, but hey you have to learn sometime right?

Is it flooded?
Did I harm it by sitting it on its side?

Any other tricks I can try to get it going without going to a repair guy.

Thanks!!!

Stroth

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

www.discount-marine-parts.com/ob_elgin_force_model.html

It's a 96 model,15" leg,made by Force.

I assume you know enough to not run it with straight gas,or,out of water.
Also,did you happen to notice a steady stream of water from the "peahole",on the rear of the leg?
If there was no water you may have overheated and fried your powerhead.

Check for spark. No spark/weak spark means an electrical/ignition problem.

Check the compression. 80-130 PSI should be fine(the higher the better..),with no more than 1-2 PSI difference between the 2 cylinders.
If you have a big difference between cylinders,or,low compression on both,you will at LEAST be investing in a new head gasket,maybe piston rings,or,a complete rebuild.

Check the spark plugs. Should be a medium brown color with no depoits.
Black and gummy is oil fouled(rich condition),gray-white is lean condition.
Check your carb adjustments,clean/rebuild as necessary.
Also,if the plugs are wet,it means you are getting fuel.

Most likely you have some garbage in the carb that was dislodged,and is now plugging your carb.

You can get parts from:
www3.sears.com
www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/index.cfm

I recently bought a 92 model for cheap,was missing most of the shift linkage parts.
They are STILL missing,as they are on terminal backorder...

Keep us posted.

 

[Stroth]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Thanks for the reply.

Today, I put in fresh spark plugs. The old ones were very black on each end. I also added some Sta Bil to the fuel.

No change whatsoever, occasionally I can get a puff of smoke to come out of it, but it will not start.

When I move it from the barrel of water, it does drain, so hopefully it is nothing too horribly wrong.

I have no experience whatsover with motors, so before I break the thing more than I have broken it I think I am going to take it somewhere.

Is there any quick fix I am missing? I do not know how to check the compression, or the spark aside from putting new plugs in.

Stroth

 

[steelespike]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Laying it on its side is no big deal.It is better to store it upright so you are sure the water drains out.Is the tank connected properly?Do you squeeze the primer bulb till firm?Is the vent open on the tank?
There is probably a safety lanyard (A leash that slides into the kill switch and hooks to yourself so the motor kills if you fall in)is it hooked to the kill switch?

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

I'd check for spark. You can get a spark checker for under 10 dollars from the auto parts stores.

 

[Stroth]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Well, i finally got the thing running!!!!

When I changed the spark plugs, I think I put the connectors on backwards, I switched them up this morning, tweaked the throttle control between pulls and I finally got this thing running.

Now, what can I do to assure she still keeps running?

I put Sta Bil in the fuel tank and ran the motor for at least five minutes in a 55 gallon barrel that I have. Is it bad to run a motor for too long in a barrell?

!!!THANKS FOR THE REPLIES!!!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Dont take this personally but I think you will want to take the motor in for servicing. Your first priority is to have the lower unit serviced. This would mean replacing the lower unit oil and replacing the impeller. The way you remark about doing a spark test and compression test I think you would feel more comfortable having a pro work on the motor then doing the work yourself and forgetting to do something like replacing an impeller key and causing the motor to over heat. The impeller should be changed every 2 seasons and the lower unit oil every fall ( not spring. If there is water in there it can freeze and expand and destroy the lower unit) If this motor is new to you you dont know how old that impeller is and if it goes bad it can ruin that motor faster then anything else. Even running a motor out of water for more then a few seconds can destroy it. The next dangerous thing you can do is not add oil to the gas. I believe the ration on this motor is 50 to 1 so about 2.6 oz per gallon so go to 3 oz per gallon to be safe. Use a good quality outboard oil that has TWC3 stamped on it.

Storing the motor on its side will not hurt it. If you are going to do this I would store it with the spark plug facing up.

 

[Stroth]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Thanks for the reply. I am a self confessed moron with motors, so I take no offense whatsoever. When I first bought the motor I thought of taking it to get serviced just to be safe. It is probably the easiest thing I can do to extend the life of the motor.

What should I expect to pay for the type of service suggested here?

THANKS!

Stroth

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Aftermarket impeller runs about 15 bucks. Maybe an hour of labor two at the most. Probably between 100 and 200. The lower unit oil is a simple task. For the price of having it done you could buy a manual and do that. Remove two screws and let drain. Fill from the lower hole till oil comes out the top and put both screws in and you are done. Oil is about 4 dollars. I would call around and price shop. This is a pretty simple job so most mechanics will take it even though it is a force motor.

 

[Stroth]

Impeller/WaterPump

Impeller/WaterPump

The plot thickens.....

Called three places, not one will work on the motor, one guy said to call back after July 9th and he might be able to take it on.

In the meantime, I ordered a copy of the factory service manual on ebay, and hopefully I will learn from there how to do some basic repair work on the engine.

I also looked around for the tiller and/or waterpump for this motor and so far I have come up with nothing.

Anyone have any idea where I can come across these parts? Are they called something else?

I appreciate the replies and patience I have gotten already in this forum.

!!!THANKS ALOT FOR HELPING ME OUT!!!

 

[Stroth]

Re: Gamefisher 1998 Won't Start?

Found the impeller, right here at iboats.....

Should've looked closer.