01 ficht 225 wont start

[twingle22]

I'm stumped. I have a E225FPLSIF. Never had any trouble until now, Been a great motor regardless of the ficht reputation. It wont start. It acts as if the battery is weak. It turns over slow for a few seconds and then stalls. I replaced the battery even though the other checked fine. Interstate 1000 cca. Replaced starter, plugs (yes they're indexed properly) and the fuel filter. Have 13.4 volts at the solenoid. Jumped across solenoid, no difference. I can turn the flywheel by hand with the plugs out and the starter will turn the flywheel a little faster wit the plugs out of course but still only a few seconds. I' getting fuel and fire best I can tell, just not enough rpms to start. I also have taken the lower umit off to be sure drive shaft wasn't in some kind of bind. All connections at battery and engine have been cleaned. Tach does move while trying to crank. No alarms when it was running. All this happened after I ran out of fuel on one tank on Lake Guntersville avout 3 weeks ago. It was somewhat intermittent at first but now it wont start at all. Any ideas?? I'm stumped. Tim

[SEAHORSE]

Since your ran it out of fuel, the electric pump could be damaged or the engine simply has air in the fuel system that has to be bled out - just like when starting up a brand new motor.

Use a fuel pressure gauge to check the fuel rail pressure first.

Also hook a voltmeter to the starter post and the starter frame to make sure the voltage does not go below 10 volts while it is cranking over.

[twingle22]

I havent checked fuel pressure but it has cranked and run a few times since that incident. Fished a local tournament Sunday. It ran fine. 74 mph wide open with no misses. Later in the day you could hear the starter sounding as if it was dragging and it would squeal for a second after itr started like the bushing was dry in the starter. When I replaced the starter. The new starter is quieter but no stronger. It cranked Thursday night but would not turn the flywheel even 1 revolution on Friday morning and I havent been able to get it to crank all weekend. You would swear it was a near dead battery by listening to it. I got 11.2 volts at the starter while cranking. With the plugs out, the flywheel will turn 2 or 3 revolutions slowly and stall and the bendix stays engaged as long as the key is turned to crank. The replacement starter is a remanufactured. I am starting to wonder if it might also be bad. My father-in-law has a 225 ficht. I may go get his starter and see what happens if he dont care.

[SEAHORSE]

11.2 volts while cranking (assuming your meter is accurate) tells that the starter is probably defective as it is not drawing enough amps to put out full power.

[GaryL]

Dont try your FIL's starter untill you try yours on his motor. I bet Seahorse is right you got a bad rebuilt starter. I have gone through 3 starters on my 05 250.
All with the same symptom you have.

[twingle22]

Yep, rebuilt starter did the same on docs boat. Just my luck. Thanks for your help guys. Sometimes it just helps to have somebody help you reason things out. Thanks again, Tim

[pbfishing]

I had a same problem this weekend at pickwick. Thanks to Barnes Marine it was my spark plugs. Also thank, to Marine Sales in Counce TN for finding the plugs & Dottie's Marine in Holiday TN for having the plugs. The plugs for my 200 Evinrude 225 was Champion Spark Plugs QC12PEP.

Big Fish Rob

[pbfishing]

I had a same problem this weekend at pickwick. Thanks to Barnes Marine it was my spark plugs. Also thank, to Marine Sales in Counce TN for finding the plugs & Dottie's Marine in Holiday TN for having the plugs. The plugs for my 2000 Evinrude 225 was Champion Spark Plugs QC12PEP.

Big Fish Rob

[rude power]

thats the same symptoms of the starter delay relay that went wrong with mine a year or so ago and same year an size motor,they are two relays next to the top of the starter sometimes you can peck on it or wiggle the plug, mine would crank but not fast enough to start and trying to boost it didnt change it,these are 70 amp relays and are not easy to find ,other than oem..I'm no tech just my experince on this motor also had the main wire going into the power dist. box lose contact.