Plug not set and motor will not start

[bowhunt306]

I have a 2011 Tahoe Q5i SF with 4.3 MPI 220hp motor. I let my son and his wife take the the boat out yesterday. He called me after he "forgot to put the plug in the boat" and flooded the engine compartment up to the battery before he realized he did not have the plug in. He was towed in because "the boat will not start" and I met him at the dock, inspected the engine compartment, fluids, etc. without any evidence that water contaminated the hydraulics, engine oil, fuel tank, power steering, etc. I took the boat home and parked it and again inspected the fluids without any indication of water contamination. I got out the earmuffs and attempted to start the motor. The motor turns over, but will not start like it is not getting gas or a spark to the plugs. I can hear the fuel pump hum to suggest it is working. I have checked the distributor for condensation as well as the spark plugs for water with negative results. I pulled a plug and did not seem to get a spark to the plug. Using a meter on the coil connections, I seem to be getting power to there. Bottom line is, I cannot get the motor started any ideas that I can check before I have to take it to the dealer? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[magiaone]

Re: Plug not set and motor will not start

I would look at all the connections and the connectors to see if any got wet. If he called after he realized, did he further flood it? Also, I know there is a breaker right under the spark arrester - i have it on my 220 hp merc. make sure thats not tripped. There than that leave it for a few days maybe with a fan to try drying it out.

Left the plug out myself, I had to jump into a stinky boat lunch and do them up.

 

[bowhunt306]

Re: Plug not set and motor will not start

I have checked just about every connection i can find as well as the breaker below the spark arrestor. I just cannot seem to find anything wet. I don't think the water got higher than about half way up the motor, just enough to cover the fuel filter (which I took off and found no evidence of water). I just cannot find what is stopping the spark. I called my son this afternoon and got a better idea of what happened. As soon as he realized what happened, he plugged the boat, turned on the bilge pump, and then started the motor. He said it ran for about 5 minutes and then quit. He attempted to start it again with negative results. It tuns over still, but will not fire up. Thanks for the help.

 

[magiaone]

Re: Plug not set and motor will not start

Ok - the only other thing I can think of is the safety switch by the throttle - My kid knocked that once and it took 5mins to figure that one out......

 

[bowhunt306]

Re: Plug not set and motor will not start

Thanks, Magiaone. I have checked that several times. I would have loved for it to be this easy. LOL