neautral kill switch - engine failure

[csh40]

I have a 1980 vintage searay with the Merc 8Cy engine. At the start of the season - the engine will start emmediately- run for a few seconds and stop- as if i turned it off -- no chokeing at all. The way it stops i don't think it is fuel ( which i checked anyway) - a friend mentioned that the neutral kill switch could be at falut. I have tried and checked everything and am stumped - as to why it starts - sounds great and then stops like a turned it off. Any thoughts?

 

[boat1010]

Re: neautral kill switch - engine failure

I'm not sure what the problem is, but I have never heard of a neutral kill switch. I know of a neutral switch which will not let you start the boat unless it is in neutral. But not a kill switch. Smiling.. I have been wrong before but just have never heard of that sort of a switch. Even tho it is not choking I still believe it is fuel related. Sounds like it has fuel in the bowl and that fuel runs out and motor dies. By the way Welcome to iboats.. I'm sure that someone on here will be able to help you with your problem. There are some very smart boaters here. Lots of luck and happy boating.

 

[nlain]

Re: neautral kill switch - engine failure

First, Welcome to iboats.

I think what is being referred to is the momentary kill switch in the throttle/shift linkage on the engine, if you have a stiff cable when you move the throttle lever it will move to kill position and not return fast enough to prevent the engine from shutting down. It is there to momentarily kill the engine to release pressure on the gears when going to neutral from a gear. You could be running just long enough to burn the gas you pumped in when preparing to start and then shutting down, this could be due to the choke not setting properly to keep the cold engine running on initial start up.

You may want to post this up in the proper engine thread as that is where the people that know hang out, you will probably get better answers there.

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: neautral kill switch - engine failure

I'm no expert, but I've had enough old boats, and have done enough work on engines to suspect a fuel system problem. I used to check by starting the engine, and when it sounded like it was ready to stall, shoot some starting fluid in the carb intake. If it continues to run you can be sure it's fuel system related. If you do this be careful for a fire hazard and have a fire extinguisher ready. I never had a problem doing this test, but there's always a first time, so stand back a bit in case of a flashback.