Moomba LSV 2008 not starting

[oli560]

I put my Moomba LSV 2008 model on the water 2 weeks ago for the summer and it started fine. I then put it on my lift on the dock for 1 week and when i went to start it again it didn't work, i tried charging the battery and checked the oil level and thats fine. Also i noticed that the bilge pump hadn't been working, and there was water 1/4 of the way up the engine, so i drained it with a manual pump, and now its still not starting.

Does anyone have a check list or can help me troubleshoot my problem?

Thanks.

[jzelt]

What does it not do? Does it turn over, click, try to start but chugs?

[moombahighrider]

So, when you say not starting, do you mean that the starter is not engaging at all? Or does it turn over and not fire? How do you know that the battery is good? The battery may not be receiving a charge at all and therefore not allowing anything to work. The other thing is the circuit breaker in front of the observer seat, look for some larger wiring connected to it- it may have tripped for some reason and can be reset.

[NateHaskovec]

I put my Moomba LSV 2008 model on the water 2 weeks ago for the summer and it started fine. I then put it on my lift on the dock for 1 week and when i went to start it again it didn't work, i tried charging the battery and checked the oil level and thats fine. Also i noticed that the bilge pump hadn't been working, and there was water 1/4 of the way up the engine, so i drained it with a manual pump, and now its still not starting.

Does anyone have a check list or can help me troubleshoot my problem?

Thanks.

Does the fuel pump run and then shut off (like it should) or does it just run constantly?

Does the check engine light come on when the key is turned on (like it should), or is it not lit?

Does the starter turn the engine over?

How did the engine bay fill with water on the lift? is the lift not covered?

[oli560]

When i turn the key i can hear it trying to start but the engine never actually turns over. Also i took the battery out and took it to a shop who tested the charge on it and said it was fine. I also checked on the fuses, and just checked the circuit breaker and everything seems fine there. I remember someone telling me that i might need to change the sparks plugs after a while, as they have never been changed and the boat has over 250hours on it. Could this be the problem? If so i don't know where they are located?

[oli560]

I don't know how to check the fuel pump.
The engine light does work.
when i try to start the engine it sounds like its trying to start the sound that it normally makes when i start it, but it just doesn't turn over.
For the engine bay, there was alot of rain for the past week, and i had my cover on the boat and the boat was out of the water on a boat lift, but when i opened the engine compartment, there was water and the buildge pumped wasn't working.

[newty]

If you bad water 1/4 of the way up the motor that means you starter was under water and possibly you alternator. I'd definitely have the started bench tested.
Two bolts and two wires easy to get to. Take a pic of the wires so you get them put back correctly. Any auto parts place will test it free for you.

[oli560]

Ok thanks ill try that, do you have a picture or can you describe the location of the starter, because i have no idea what it looks like

[yz 2smoke]

Just do a Google image search for automotive starter. Make sure you disconnect the battery before taking your starter or alternator off.

[zabooda]

I bet the starter was underwater and should be pulled, dried out and tested.

[newty]

It will be in the left rear locker toward the seat side with a big battery cable and 1 or 2 other small wires coming off of it. Bolts will be on the bottom .

[NateHaskovec]

[/QUOTE]
when i try to start the engine it sounds like its trying to start the sound that it normally makes when i start it, but it just doesn't turn over.[/QUOTE]

What do you mean? The normal sound is the engine turning over until it actually starts.

Can you hear the engine turning? Or just the click of the starter engaging?

Have you checked the circuit breakers under the dash? There is one for your bilge pump (I am fairly sure).

The reason I ask is that you sound unfamiliar with engines, and starters are pretty resiliant when it comes to water.

[oli560]

I am very unfamiliar with engines, no all i can hear is the click of the starter engaging i think.

[newty]

Make sure your throttle is in neutral and try starting...

Double check your battery connections are tight. Try starting...

Make sure your breaker didn't trip. (Under the observer seat) push the red button and see if it clicks. Then reset it by flipping the little black lever back in on the breaker. Try starting...

Next go the engine compartment and make sure the little red reset button is depressed. Should be basically right behind the ski pylon above the transmission. Try starting...

If it still doesn't work have someone turn over the key until you locate the sound of the click, take a pic of that part then get back to us.

[trex]

Do any of the other accessory switches work? ie docking lights, stereo, nav lights etc? Its funny that a bilge would just quit and you can't turn the motor over. Can you borrow a battery from someone else just to check? I've have good charges on bench tests but not work in the boat..deep cycle batteries can be quirky

[moombahighrider]

Sorry to be the one to say this but maybe you need to seek the help of a professional (or at least someone who is knowledgable about engines/ boats)?...

I realize your boat is on a lift and not easily accessible for a mechanic to get to, but you could be chasing your tail for a while and losing good water time.

There is a certain level of knowledge that is necessary to troubleshoot this sort of thing and it seems like it would be a steep learning slope. I don't mean any offense by my comments, I am mostly concerned with your lack of water time while you sort your way through this.

[oli560]

I found the problem, it ended up being a fuse that was burned out, thanks alot for the help everyone, but I have one more small question, when I lower my lift and put it on the water, I seems that water is coming in to the engine hull, but very fast but quick enough to notice, is there a plug somewhere that could be loose, if so were is it?

[mmandley]

You will need to dry the engine area and have 1 person lower the boat and you watch very carefully, the only place on an 08 LSV that it can get water in normally is the rear plug,. You shaft should be a drip less, so you need to watch it and see where the water is comming from for us to help.

The only other place is depending on how your life holds the boat, the LSV is notorious for water in the Ski locker, it will drain back to the bilge when the boat is set in the water.

[moombahighrider]

I found the problem, it ended up being a fuse that was burned out, thanks alot for the help everyone

Nice work! Sorry to be a naysayer and doubt your skills. I seemed to me that it was going to be a bit more involved.