Impossible to start and oil dripping down the skeg

[StAug Mike]

Hi,
I have an Osprey 175 200 with a 90hp 2 cycle motor.  It does not get a run as much as I like but everytime we take it out is is difficult to start.  As a matter of fact the only way I could get it started yesterday was with Starter Fluid ( I know bad idea).  We ran it for 2 hours up and down the intercoastal with no issues.  From the Ramp to my house was 20 minutes.  Went to flush it and could not get it started.  (Yes, I used starter fluid again and away it went.)  My question is, could I get getting too much oil into it, thus making it hard to start?  I check the NGK BPR7hs plugs and they look ok.  SHould I change them back to the OEM  plugs QL78YC?

Then this morning when I went out I notice what looked like 3 or so 0z. oil oil on my garage floor.  Tagging onto the question from Oldskool67, is this something I should be worried about?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

StAug Mike

[fitz73222]

Who is the manufacturer of the engine, how old is the gas in the tank, how long had it sat before you ran it?

[StAug Mike]

Johnson Ocean pro, the gas is probably 4 months old, but before I went out I through is some octane boost and blue sta-bil.  It had not been out in the water for a month, but starting has always been an adventure.

[seabob4]

Farley will be the first to say this...you need air, fuel, and spark.  Seeing as the starting fluid (KA-BOOM!) seems to do the trick, I'd say you have spark.  And I'm betting you have air.  That leaves one culprit...

[wingtime]

Yeah Bob is right keep it simple and start with the basics.  If it has been sitting you have fuel problem...  either phase separated ethanol fuel (four month old ethanol is probably bad), fuel pump, dirty carbs, etc.  I would not use the motor until you solve the problem.  You can have a lean cylinder that will burn out your motor.

[fitz73222]

Since the engine appears to run OK once you get it started. I'm going to assume you have plugged low speed carburetor passages from varnish or bad fuel. Does the engine spit or miss at idle?  These are very simple carbs to work on if you're inclined to do it yourself. So some fresh fuel and a carb rebuild should get you on your way.  What part of St Augustine are you in? I'm just down the road from you...

[StAug Mike]

Yes, it hates to idle.
I but a new fuel filter on a while back.
I usually throw in Sta-bil and carb cleaner everytime I gas up, but from what I am reading fuel seems to be the issue
I am on the south end of St. Aug US1 and 312.

[GoneFission]

Is the choke/enrichment circuit working?  That can prevent starting.  

Once running, the idle problems may be caused by clogged idle jets or the jets might just need adjustment.  

Of course, all of the above could also be influenced by a bad timing setting.  A late timing setting can prevent starting and also cause idle problems.

[wingtime]

what about bad or broken reeds?  Wont that cause a lousy idle and a fuel mix sneezing back out of the carbs?   Stuck float?

[fitz73222]

Yes, it hates to idle.
I but a new fuel filter on a while back.
I usually throw in Sta-bil and carb cleaner everytime I gas up, but from what I am reading fuel seems to be the issue
I am on the south end of St. Aug US1 and 312.

Hi Mike,

So you're down by Devils Elbow? We run up to Caps behind the airport occasionally.We fish Matanzas all the time.  So are you going to work on it or take it somewhere? Once the carbs are gummed up; there is no cure except tear down and rebuild.

[StAug Mike]

Thanks, that's my plan.  Hopefully I can get the local guy to get it in and rebuilt this week.

Thanks everyone for your input!