Outboard won’t start today.

[Pirate Lady]

Ran fine last week. After many pulls and changing the spark plug, it finally started, ran a few seconds, stumbled and died. Did this a few times.
So I am getting spark and fuel. Thinking bad gas. This engine has always been particular about gas, doesn’t like stabil, etc.
sound like drain the tank, add fresh gas? Can a plastic gas can accumulate condensation?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I would probably drain, clean and refill tank with fresh fuel and only put enough that i will use in the foreseeable future. The tank can certainly be subject of condensation contamination, Plastic is better than steel but depending on the environment the plastic tank is not condensation proof.

 

[blaster]

That things little. Dump the tank into a bucket and try fresh gas. If it still doesn’t start unbolt the carburetor and clean it up. I always run the gas out of my little outboards so they start easy.

 

[JimG]

Could be sucking air... Make sure you don't have any air leaks in the rubber hoses and squeeze bulb.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Try running it on a portable tank - just plumb it direct to the tank. What does your current fuel look like and smell like? Dump the fuel/water separator into a glass jar.

Startron or Stabil will only help. Your engine is NOT allergic to it!

 

[J.Wilt]

May sound stupid but make sure vent is open on fuel tank.
Same thing happened to us while on vacation last week and that is what the first thing everyone told me, I emptied the tank and put fresh fuel in, ran better but still sputtering, next is fuel filter and then spark plugs.
Good luck!

 

[blaster]

I hope it’s fixed soon. I’ve got several small outboards if you want to borrow one of them.