Hi
I am fairly new to Seagulls and am still trying to get one running. I have a number of different engines, all missing various bits. Currently I am working on a 1967 Forty Featherweight with a Bing carb (it's the only carb I have). It has good compression and a spark, but it won't start, unless I use power start, in which case it will run for a few seconds and then stop. The fuel coming into the carb looks clean, and the carb appears to have all the necessary bits! Because it's a bing, I'm running at 25:1.
Does the fact that it runs on power start squirted into the air intake indicate the my problem MUST be with the fuel supply and/or the carb, or is this stuff so volatile that it will make an engine run even with a feeble spark, or bad timing etc?
Your help is very much appreciated by a so far unlucky Seagull newbie.
My Seagull only runs on power start!
Moderators: John@sos, charlesp, Charles uk, RickUK, Petergalileo
"Power Start" is something I have not heard of but if its an ether based starting fluid don't use it. No oil!
Its OK for 4 stroke perol engines but not 2 strokes or diesel engines.
It will fire with a very weak spark so it is not a particularly good test for the ignition system.
Try some nomal fuel mix sprayed into the carb intake. If the ignition is Ok that should fire and it wont wreck your engine due to lack of oil.
Its OK for 4 stroke perol engines but not 2 strokes or diesel engines.
It will fire with a very weak spark so it is not a particularly good test for the ignition system.
Try some nomal fuel mix sprayed into the carb intake. If the ignition is Ok that should fire and it wont wreck your engine due to lack of oil.
Hi,
if this is a rebuilt or non-used for a while engine I would think your problem is due to air leaks around the top and bottom bushes. I spent a long time with a 40 plus not running in water and kind of gave up on it when I found it was the head gasket leaking water into the chamber. After a long time I got round to fixing it. Non starter even with a new head gasket. Always started well and then died before the new gasket. My dad came round and squirted a load of model air plane fuel in the air intake, took off the ht lead and pulled the string a few times. Made some smoke and coughed a bit. Not my dad! Then he put the ht lead back on, turned the fuel on and away it went. Seams the caster oil in the fuel was soaked up by the bushes. Now runs well, but I suggest you try neat 2 stroke oil rather than airplane fuel as it might all go bang!
regards
Phil
if this is a rebuilt or non-used for a while engine I would think your problem is due to air leaks around the top and bottom bushes. I spent a long time with a 40 plus not running in water and kind of gave up on it when I found it was the head gasket leaking water into the chamber. After a long time I got round to fixing it. Non starter even with a new head gasket. Always started well and then died before the new gasket. My dad came round and squirted a load of model air plane fuel in the air intake, took off the ht lead and pulled the string a few times. Made some smoke and coughed a bit. Not my dad! Then he put the ht lead back on, turned the fuel on and away it went. Seams the caster oil in the fuel was soaked up by the bushes. Now runs well, but I suggest you try neat 2 stroke oil rather than airplane fuel as it might all go bang!
regards
Phil
You say, The fuel coming into the carb looks clean, and the carb appears to have all the necessary bits! Because it's a bing! I'm running at 25:1.
you seem confident that your mix is 25-1!!
you also say the fuel LOOKS CLEAN !!
It might be an idea to get rid of that fuel, make sure your filters in the tank and carb are free of any crap that might be there, clean, and do a fresh 25-1 mix. Good luck
John.
you seem confident that your mix is 25-1!!
you also say the fuel LOOKS CLEAN !!
It might be an idea to get rid of that fuel, make sure your filters in the tank and carb are free of any crap that might be there, clean, and do a fresh 25-1 mix. Good luck
John.
Re: My Seagull only runs on power start!
Many thanks philj - I tried what you suggested: I poured some two stroke oil in through the spark plug hole, refitted the plug, but not the HT lead, pulled the cord as if to start it a few times, then attached the HT lead, turned on the fuel, primed the carb, and within 5 pulls, it started! Magic!
I now have a running featherweight that circulates water well, so long as I keep filling the bucket up as fast it throws the water out!. My next problem is that it is difficult to start when warm/hot - it regularly takes 10 or 12 pulls to restart. I have fitted a new HT lead and new plug, the fuel is of the correct ratio and is only about 4 weeks old. Any suggestions?
I now have a running featherweight that circulates water well, so long as I keep filling the bucket up as fast it throws the water out!. My next problem is that it is difficult to start when warm/hot - it regularly takes 10 or 12 pulls to restart. I have fitted a new HT lead and new plug, the fuel is of the correct ratio and is only about 4 weeks old. Any suggestions?
Fixed!
Hi all
I now have a fully working featherweight - just a simple matter of setting the contract breaker to the correct gap fixed my final problem. Unfortunately, I now find that the transom bracket is too small to fit on my home made dinghy, so after all that, it's no use to me - anyone want to buy a featherweight?
Just a quick thank you to all who have responded to this or my other requests for help.
Great forum - really helpful people here.
Thanks
I now have a fully working featherweight - just a simple matter of setting the contract breaker to the correct gap fixed my final problem. Unfortunately, I now find that the transom bracket is too small to fit on my home made dinghy, so after all that, it's no use to me - anyone want to buy a featherweight?
Just a quick thank you to all who have responded to this or my other requests for help.
Great forum - really helpful people here.
Thanks