Help needed, engine won't start.

[LS2000nKY]

Would you suggest puting fuel down the carb throat and trying to start it then?

 

[LS2000nKY]

Or the starter solenoid? Only I thought the engine would not crank if the solenoid was bad?

 

[Beachbummer]

I know this may sound like heresy, but generally with 2 cycles, if you have spark and compression it's always the carbs. Can you try with a little starting fluid? How's you vacuum line feeding the fuel pumps? (Or does this have an electric fuel pump?)

It should have come alive when you poured gas on the carb, that almost never fails. I admit I'm stumped, but I'm sure others will chime in soon.

 

[LS2000nKY]

I'll look at the carbs tomorrow. You're probably right about that. I put a teaspoon of fuel in each carb and it still wouldn't start. It is a vacuum system but the previous owner added a low psi fuel pump to assist with could starting I think.

 

[Beachbummer]

teaspoon is like 5ml (too little)... table spool is like 15ml. may seem dangerous, but if you are aiming via the metal mesh is hard to get it through. More fuel or starter fluid will reveal if it's fuel.

Best of Luck!

 

[LS2000nKY]

How much starter fluid would you use?

 

[LS2000nKY]

I'll buy some at the local auto store now. Question: what if it doesn't start?

 

[Beachbummer]

Might be reed valves? No idea, in familiar with two cycle engines, but not your specific model.

Edit: if it was reed valves I think compression would be low.... I retract my reed valve suggestion.

 

[the MfM]

The engine has three carbs. They wouldn't likely all clog at once unless there was no fuel filter. It will run on two cylinders if one carb was malfunctioning.

Not sure why it stalled while running...maybe rear hatch switch or it was overheating and started to seize...

Regardless you have spark and compression. So with fuel it should at least fire. It doesn't take much fuel for it to fire. A tablespoon down each cylinder is way too much. A few dribbles down one is enough.

It's possible with all the cranking trying to get it started you fouled the plugs as the oil pump is pumping oil Evey time it cranks.

If the starter wasn't throwing out you'd know it as the engine wouldn't be cranking and it would sound totally different.

I'd try new plugs and see if they get wet when you crank the engine. If you put any fuel or starter fluid use as little as possible. Starter fluid is generally a bad idea and a last resort for two strokes.

Always use full choke starting cold. With these carbs the choke needs to be on to pull fuel into the cylinder.

 

[LS2000nKY]

I did end up trying starter fluid, no help. It has been converted to premix, but I'll look at replacing the plugs regardless. The engine cranks and acts like it will start but it doesn't, like it needs fuel or something? Again it suddenly stopped at around 30mph. Question: would faulty reed valves prevent the engine from starting? My next thought was bad reed valves too, but I'm not a mechanic and I don't know how these engines are put together, I just Google and talk to smart folks like you guys!

 

[LS2000nKY]

Here is a photo of the reed valves on eBay, used. I think I'll order them and give it a whirl??

 

[the MfM]

Try taking the plugs out and disconnect the safety lanyard.

Then crank the engine and watch to see if any fuel sprays out the plug holes.

(Disconnecting the lanyard will kill the spark but still let it crank)

Even with bad reeds it should fire with starter fluid if you have spark and compression. Unless it's flooded or the plugs are fouled.

 

[LS2000nKY]

Will do. I just purchased new replacement ngk plugs today so I'll report on my progress tomorrow.

 

[LS2000nKY]

I'll compare it with the starboard engine so I know how it should look with the plugs out. Assuming nothing sprays out and the engine doesn't start do you have another suggestion for me to try?

 

[LS2000nKY]

Thanks again everyone for your much appreciated help.

 

[the MfM]

Make sure the battery still has a good charge so the engine is spinning fast enough...if it won't for tomorrow... check your compression again.

Good luck

.

 

[LS2000nKY]

I'll place a charger on the battery tonight, thx and have a good evening

 

[tdonoughue]

I think you are getting excellent advice here.

I would also recommend this morning retesting the spark. If it cut out at 30mph on the water, there may be some intermittent connection issue. I can't speak for the 2000 LS specifically, but I do know that most times it is the lanyard switch that gives these issues (which I know you tested--but when mine went wonky, it worked most of the time and every now and then would fail until I put some switch cleaner on it). If you get spark, of course, that rules out the lanyard switch. But a retest may indicate why you are not at least getting a few cycles when you put fuel in the carbs--you may have an intermittent spark issue.

 

[LS2000nKY]

After reading your post I put some silicone lube on that lanyard switch and also switched out the connectors too the engines to see if that had any effect, again only the good engine started so the lanyard is likely not the culprit. I just took the plugs out and didn't see any fuel coming out when trying to start it, but I also took the plugs out of the running engine and no fuel came out either, so I'm thinking it's normal not too see fuel spitting out if the plug holes? My only other thought is that it could be bent reed valves?

 

[Beachbummer]

I think with bad reed valves the cylinder pressure may show low. I still think it's fuel if you have good spark.