2 stroke engine failure @ 4 mile reef
well it was a beautiful day here in Busselton today, so decided I would go out and drop a line at one of the locally known fish havens 
The water was flat as glass, so about full throttle all the way out to the area known as 4 mile, probably cause it's about 4 mile off the beach lol
As I throttled back near where there were two boats, the engine died when it got back to idle 
I tried to start it again, but no way would the engine fire. It always starts first pull when cold so thought I would drop a few lines till it cooled down and give it a try again.
It was not my day, it would not start even when cold, not even a thought of it starting, so I dropped anchor.
Now, to add insult to injury, my VHF Marine radio had a flat battery and was useless, so I used my mobile and phoned a friend onshore and requested re inform the local 'search & rescue' that I was out there and may need assistance later in the day, as it was only 11am now.
Recieved a phone call from the Busso Police, and I informed the officer of the situation and advised him I may get a tow back home with one of the boats nearby when they left the area for the Marina.
He said he would phone me in an hour to check on me again 
Stuck a arm up in the air when the closest boat strated to head to the Marina and he offered to tow me back in as he had been watching me trying to restart the outboard.
The Busso Police officer phoned me when I was about half way back to the Marina, and said he would cancel the watch on me.
Note to self, get the Raymarine handheld VHF Marine Radio battery checked out, it sits in it's charger all the time it is at home, so battery should be charged?
NOW....
Who would have a clue as to what would stop the 30hp Johnson 2 stroke dead in it's track ??
it has plenty of fuel, so I think it must be lack of spark, but from where is spark 'stopped' ??
Do these things have 'points' like an old fashioned lawn mower 2 stroke engine ??
I've not pulled one apart, but would be reasonably competant at it as I've rebuilt many 4 st engines
I usually send the outboard away for servicing and it has not done too many hours since it's last service, maybe just 20 hrs.
Thanks in advance
(I know I should check the radio battery etc b4 I go out - I'm not as perfect as those who do)
sea-kem
Posts: 14978
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Sounds like an electrical
Sounds like an electrical fault. Possibly a short somewhere. Be interested to know the outcome.
Love the West!
Housey
Posts: 8
Date Joined: 01/05/12
.
I had an issue with mine once where it turned out to be in the wiring for the killswitch and emergency lanyard switch..
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Same as Housey
I have had the lanyard kill switch fail too. Another problem i had was simular, motored out to sea, as i slowed down the engine tried to stop and i could not get the revs back up then it died. I took the hood off and noticed( after some time checking other things ) a small piece of plastic loose . It was part of the neutral safety switch wich had broken. I chased the wires and bypassed it and it started staight away.
Don't know if this is your problem but ive seen this part fail on other boats too.
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Pull a plug to see its state,
Pull a plug to see its state, if ok, check for spark. If its got spark, spray flamable substance into carb, if it fires then its a fuel issue. If it has both, maybe it down on comp. If its easy fix, fix it, sell it and buy a fourstroke.
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
good thought :)
Yes, buying a 4st is an option, but then replacing the entire rig would make more sence to me as I would love a centre console about 5.2mt, but then the Johno 2 st has been faultless on the 4.2 mt hull till now and is easy on fuel too, but have to admit the 4st is easier to refuel, not having to worry about mixing two-stroke fuel and keeping oil available, as it becomes expensive to run when you add the price of the oil an petrol when compared to a conventional 4st outboard.
In the morning I will do some electrical checking and see what I can find out, it does sound like it would be a dead short in the safety lanyard system.
Maîneÿ . . .meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
no start Hmmmm
As stated above pull plug reconect spark plug lead pull motor over check for spark on spark plug,no spark electrical fault check kill switch wiring then coil etc. If spark drain carby and tank fill both with fresh full, try to start, no start pull plug spray a bit of aerostart (just a bit) into cylinder(s) put plugs back pull over motor a few times.
Good Luck shouls start if you have spark
scano
Posts: 1247
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Being a two stroke
Sounds like a fouled spark plug to me.
Install 2x new plugs when you know you have good spark at the high tension leads and she should spring to life.
If it turns out to be fouled plugs check your oil fuel mix ratio
drew74
Posts: 33
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Hey Mainey to check the stop
Hey Mainey to check the stop switch / lanyard pull the wire that is black with a yellow trace from the power pack
(big plug on on top of the head with 5/6 wires going ointo it) if you get no spark from that more than likly will be the power pack
Hope that helps
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
everything 'looks' nice
did what I could, yes just 'looked' at all things mentioned above and everything looks nice - but still no spark
Checked compression & plugs, they were looking like new, but with fuel on them from not firing
Have booked it into Bosun Marine Dunsborough, as Peter serviced it last and it was running extremely well when last used
( it usually starts first time - just about every time )
Maîneÿ . . .tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
I think that youl find the
I think that youl find the discombobulator is stuffed....
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
discombobulator
No, obviously isn't that
a local nurse said it's still working very nicely
Maîneÿ . . .Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
Pete will have you sorted
Pete will have you sorted mate, top bloke
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
Pete IS a top bloke too :-)
Picked up the boat today and it runs like a dream
Even recieved a 10% discount off the invoice when I mentioned I was a Fishwrecked member too
so I'm extra happy
Maîneÿ . . .tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
And the fault was.....
And the fault was.....
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
Fuel flooding -
I'm tempted to suggest the "discombobulator" was stuffed
But...
contamination was found in the carby and was the likely cause of the problem, the engine could have an intermitant electrical problem that was not showing at the time of testing, the compression was good with just 3 psi difference between the cylinders.
Maîneÿ . . .tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Usually the problem doesnt
Usually the problem doesnt occur when the mechanic gets a look. Sounded like a fuel issue tho, the way it stalled when u came to a stop. If it were electrical the fault would occur anytime. Got a fuel filter? Discard old fuel and remove the carb bowls from time to time. Bloody two strokes.......
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.