Lark 5 40hp Not starting

twintrades

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
305
OK i cleaned the carb and put everything back together.
Turn the key and nothin. Wont start. Took the boots off the plug wires and connected them directly. Turned over by hand and shocks me. So it has a spark. How strong should it be? ( I have no way of telling other than by shocking my self.)

When i crank it over and check the plugs there isnt any gas on them Why???
The carb it full i can drain it out the drain. what is causing the problem??

Thanks
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

I would start by getting a spark tester at the auto parts store, to see if it will jump a 7/16" gap with a nice snap. A good ignition system will, pardon the French, shock the livin sh*t out of you, if you're using the finger test.
Previously you had it running, before the prop fell off. Did it run fine again after that happened?
 

twintrades

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
305
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

naw it was the super seahorse that had the prop come off.

Ive never had this one running.
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

If it hasn't been running, then I'd do a spark test with a spark tester (cheap one is about 7 bucks) and a compression test (sometimes Autozone loans them out for free) before I would go any further. Carb probably needs cleaning; if it has a cork float that needs to go. Impeller needs replaced
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

Go to the EngineFAQs forum and do "Outboard won't start".

My guess is that cleaning the carb plugged up a critical orifice instead of clearing it. Do the troubleshooting before you do anything else.

Let us know what you find, and good luck
 

mikesea

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
1,830
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

You say you turn the KEY and nothing.BUT,when turning by hand you get some spark.Is the engine turning over by KEY.If not ,you may have an issue with key switch.Your eng should spark with harness disconnected,The key switch allows a KILL circut.Often if key switch is bad ,you wont get spark.Engine not cranking can also be switch,or wiring to switch.You may have a blown switch if it wont crank.
 

twintrades

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
305
Re: Lark 5 40hp Not starting

It turns over with the cover off so i can se it. But i cant get to the back when working on it. ( no one home when i do it)
 
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