Paddling with a 2×4!!

Oh, did I mention that the sailing gods decided to double down (check the name of the boat behind me) and put both of our engines out of commission? Sure, the incredibly dependable diesel with over 10,000 hours was out of commission, so why not take out our 9 year old bulletproof Yamaha 2 stroke??

When it rains it pours! Do I look happy?

The outboard started to do this thing where after it got warm it would stall and then absolutely not start again. In fact, it didn’t even sound like I was getting an ignition at all. How strange it was just running great.

Anyway, the engine was done for the day twice, but first thing the next morning it started on the first pull!! WTF?

What type of problem is temperature dependent?? I though fuel, vapor lock, something like that. But then I found that when it wasn’t starting I had no spark?

So, ignition. I started taking components off the engine. And checking everything. Turns out there was a small ground wire that had pulled out of a crimp fitting behind one of the components I removed. I fixed that and hurray all has been good since!!

But, why would a broken wire cause the engine not to start when warm, but fire up first pull in the morning??

No idea, but It’s all good now so no more questions!!

Pulpit Harbor