Hi Craig, Engines need two thing to run: gasoline and a spark.
To check out your engine, you can remove a spark plug, squirt a little diesel starter fluid ( or carburetor cleaner) into the cylinder and give it a try. If it coughs, and tries to run; you've got a spark but no fuel. Half the problem is solved. You have a spark. Next question is then: why isn't the fuel getting into the cylinder? Is fresh fuel in the tank? Is the tank vent open? Is the fuel line petcock open? Is the fuel filter clean? That gets us to the carburetor. Did you leave fuel in the engine last winter? Did you add a fuel preservative? If not, then maybe the main jet in the carburetor is partially clogged and the engine isn't getting enough fuel to keep it running. You can check this idea by closing the choke all the way and trying to start the engine again. If it starts but dies when you open the choke, then it isn't getting enough fuel. You could add some carburetor cleaner to the fuel tank and try and get the engine to run with the choke closed. Once it is running, the carburetor cleaner should start working and clean the main jet. Gradually open the choke till the engine is running properly again If you can get at the carburetor intake and spray carburetor cleaner into the intake, the engine may fire and run. That too, will tell you it's a carburetor problem. Connie _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
