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Author Topic:   RAGE Won't Start

Rage Jet posted 07-27-2012 10:33 PM ET (US)
Took out my boat [that was eventually identified as a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE powered by a 175-HP Mercury Sport Jet XR2] two weeks ago. Brought it home and flushed it for ten minutes. Cleaned it, covered it. [Two weeks later,] went to take out [the RAGE] this evening to BBQ at the sandbar with my family. I could not get [Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP XR2] to start. [The Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP XR2] would turn over like it's supposed to, but would not start. A boat mechanic saw that I was having [trouble starting the engine and] helped me. [He found the Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP] was not getting spark. He left. Lead me in a direction that [will] help me fix this no spark.
jimh posted 07-27-2012 11:28 PM ET (US)
Check the safety lanyard.
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 01:25 AM ET (US)
I will check it again in the [morning]. Anything specific I should look for?
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 01:26 AM ET (US)
Dont know why there's [] in my post.
jimh posted 07-28-2012 10:57 AM ET (US)
There are square brackets in your article because your original article has been edited and the edited material is indicated by the square brackets. This is a practice in publishing that goes back a couple of centuries. The text in the brackets probably replaced generic references like "it" or "boat" or "engine". This is frequently done here to improve the information content of the article so that it can be found in searches for its specific content. Mentioning the particular engine or boat once, then referring to it ten times with "it" or "the boat" or "the engine" does not give the article much information content to a search engine. This is why pronouns are often replaced with the actual nouns they refer to.
To get back to your problem with the no spark, I do not think the time period of two weeks between uses is likely to have an influence on the loss of spark. I also do not think that the destination for your cruise will have an influence on the loss of spark.
When there is a sudden change in the response of an engine, for example as in your case, when you report it was working perfectly and then next time you go to start there is no spark, the first place to look is the safety lanyard.
Also, I recommend you consult the owner's manual for your engine. An owner's manual will typically list several things that the owner can check if a no-start condition is encountered. I would anticipate that one of the things to check is the safety lanyard.
If the safety lanyard is in its proper position, the cause of the no-spark will require using some diagnostic tools. If you plan to undertake the repair yourself, I suggest buying a copy of the factory service manual for your engine. The factory service manual will typically give thorough procedures for checking the spark ignition circuit. The factory service manual will explain what tools and instruments are needed to perform the diagnostic procedures. You can then make a judgement if you want to invest in those tools. Perhaps you already own them, and just need the procedure.
jimh posted 07-28-2012 11:08 AM ET (US)
By the way, what boat are you describing? If you could tell us the manufacturer, the model, the length, and the model year we would have a lot more information available. This sort of information will be more useful in diagnosing the problem than for us to know that the onset of the problem occurred on an evening when you were planning to use the boat to take your family to a cook-out on a sand bar.
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 12:54 PM ET (US)
Problem is solved. A little background: I bought a 1994 Boston Whaler Rage about three months ago and inherited a lot of problems from the previous owner. All [malfunctions] were due to neglect and short cuts taken while performing maintenance on the motor. The motor in the 1994 Rage was the OMC Turbojet 115. I had a mechanic check out the motor after I bought it, and he told me the power head was blown. After the mechanic left, I started looking on-line to learn more about the Rage and the OMC power plant.
I found continuouswave.com and Lisa at turbojetmarineproducts.com. Lisa told me not to panic. Lisa told me it's the nature of the RAGE to have shakes and rattles. Especially in the jet drive as Lisa described there is some "room" in the jet drive and the slack is taken away when put into gear, thus making the noise go away.
I ran across one of the best mechanics I have ever come into contact with. The mechanics name is Richard Pratt. His website is www.captainrichardpratt.com. There is nothing Richard did not know about the Turbojet 115. In about 4.5 hours he put my motor back together and timed it on the water with me watching. The Turbojet went from a blown power head to a smooth running engine.
The mechanic taught me how to start the Turbojet. My 1994 Turbojet required a little throttle advance for the initial start. Once started and warmed up, and if you shut the motor off, all you had to do was turn the key and the turbojet would fire right up.
Here's how I solved my problem on my new boat [that is, the boat that is the subject of this discussion, which we will soon learn is a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE with 175-HP Mercury Sport Jet XR2] :
I came home last night and read the service manual for about three hours. I learned a lot, and came to the conclusion I was trying to start my 1997 RAGE the same as my 1994 RAGE. There was no need for me to advance my throttle yesterday. There was no need for me to choke my Sport Jet as much as I did. I flooded it. I also found on a lot of forums I read that the Sport Jet can take a minute to warm up and can be a little harder to start when cold.
This morning I hooked up the flush kit to the hose, and followed the starting instructions I read in the Mercury Marine Service Manual and Operation and Maintenance manual. The Sport Jet fired right up and shut down. I waited a second, and then turned the key again. Sport Jet fired right up then shut down. The third time, the Sport Jet started and ran great, and did not shut down until I turned the key off. I am going to put the boat in the water without my family and run it to make sure my issue is resolved and make sure my Rage will start in the water.
Thanks for your interest in my problem, and assisting me with fixing the problem. This site is awesome!
I also believe the reason I didn't have [a problem starting the engine] two weeks ago was because I started the boat in the driveway before I put it in the water. When I got to the boat ramp, the boat fired right up and off we went.
jimh posted 07-28-2012 01:50 PM ET (US)
I think your new boat is a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE. Is that correct? I'd like to nail that down so readers don't have to read the entire thread to the end to find out what the boat being discussed happens to be.
Also, it appears from your last remarks that the helpful mechanic you happened to meet at the ramp was wrong about the diagnosis of no-spark. Is that correct? There was not a problem with the spark ignition is how I read your last comments.
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 02:24 PM ET (US)
Yes, my new boat is a 1997 Boston Whaler Rage with the Mercury Sport Jet 175 XR2.
Yes, the helpful mechanic was wrong. Had to be wrong, just like I was wrong in my starting method. I learned to let the engine and it's components do the work. No more throttle advance for this boat! No more flooding!
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 02:29 PM ET (US)
I'm hoping this thread will help someone. Due to the fact I didn't think I had any spark. I ran across a lot of people having no spark. A lot of them spent quite a bit of money to diagnose the problem. I just spent three hours reading and learning the correct starting procedure, and how the fuel delivery components work.
I overdid it yesterday evening just by improperly starting it.
Using the correct method this morning resolved [the problem with no start]. I already put the boat in the water and it fired right up. Ran it with no [problems]. Back home now, loading the boat up with the grill and family to enjoy a beautiful day in Sunny Southeast Florida!
Rage Jet posted 07-28-2012 10:34 PM ET (US)
What a great afternoon of boating! Boat ran just as good as it looks! BBQ with my two boys, daughter, and wife. Was told yesterday I had no spark. All I did this afternoon was start it correctly.
jimh posted 07-29-2012 07:55 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the additional information about your 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE.
Every motor has its own starting procedure. It is common that an operator will think they know how to start an engine, but, as you found, the manufacturer usually knows best how to start the engine. Following the recommended starting procedure in the owner's manual for your engine is likely to produce the best starting behavior. Cold engines often need some fuel enrichment of the fuel:air mixture to start and run smoothly until they warm up. As you found, there is no universal method provided to accomplish this, and each engine will typically have its own method.

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Author	Topic: RAGE Won't Start
Rage Jet	posted 07-27-2012 10:33 PM ET (US) Took out my boat [that was eventually identified as a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE powered by a 175-HP Mercury Sport Jet XR2] two weeks ago. Brought it home and flushed it for ten minutes. Cleaned it, covered it. [Two weeks later,] went to take out [the RAGE] this evening to BBQ at the sandbar with my family. I could not get [Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP XR2] to start. [The Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP XR2] would turn over like it's supposed to, but would not start. A boat mechanic saw that I was having [trouble starting the engine and] helped me. [He found the Mercury Sport Jet 175-HP] was not getting spark. He left. Lead me in a direction that [will] help me fix this no spark.
jimh	posted 07-27-2012 11:28 PM ET (US) Check the safety lanyard.
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 01:25 AM ET (US) I will check it again in the [morning]. Anything specific I should look for?
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 01:26 AM ET (US) Dont know why there's [] in my post.
jimh	posted 07-28-2012 10:57 AM ET (US) There are square brackets in your article because your original article has been edited and the edited material is indicated by the square brackets. This is a practice in publishing that goes back a couple of centuries. The text in the brackets probably replaced generic references like "it" or "boat" or "engine". This is frequently done here to improve the information content of the article so that it can be found in searches for its specific content. Mentioning the particular engine or boat once, then referring to it ten times with "it" or "the boat" or "the engine" does not give the article much information content to a search engine. This is why pronouns are often replaced with the actual nouns they refer to. To get back to your problem with the no spark, I do not think the time period of two weeks between uses is likely to have an influence on the loss of spark. I also do not think that the destination for your cruise will have an influence on the loss of spark. When there is a sudden change in the response of an engine, for example as in your case, when you report it was working perfectly and then next time you go to start there is no spark, the first place to look is the safety lanyard. Also, I recommend you consult the owner's manual for your engine. An owner's manual will typically list several things that the owner can check if a no-start condition is encountered. I would anticipate that one of the things to check is the safety lanyard. If the safety lanyard is in its proper position, the cause of the no-spark will require using some diagnostic tools. If you plan to undertake the repair yourself, I suggest buying a copy of the factory service manual for your engine. The factory service manual will typically give thorough procedures for checking the spark ignition circuit. The factory service manual will explain what tools and instruments are needed to perform the diagnostic procedures. You can then make a judgement if you want to invest in those tools. Perhaps you already own them, and just need the procedure.
jimh	posted 07-28-2012 11:08 AM ET (US) By the way, what boat are you describing? If you could tell us the manufacturer, the model, the length, and the model year we would have a lot more information available. This sort of information will be more useful in diagnosing the problem than for us to know that the onset of the problem occurred on an evening when you were planning to use the boat to take your family to a cook-out on a sand bar.
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 12:54 PM ET (US) Problem is solved. A little background: I bought a 1994 Boston Whaler Rage about three months ago and inherited a lot of problems from the previous owner. All [malfunctions] were due to neglect and short cuts taken while performing maintenance on the motor. The motor in the 1994 Rage was the OMC Turbojet 115. I had a mechanic check out the motor after I bought it, and he told me the power head was blown. After the mechanic left, I started looking on-line to learn more about the Rage and the OMC power plant. I found continuouswave.com and Lisa at turbojetmarineproducts.com. Lisa told me not to panic. Lisa told me it's the nature of the RAGE to have shakes and rattles. Especially in the jet drive as Lisa described there is some "room" in the jet drive and the slack is taken away when put into gear, thus making the noise go away. I ran across one of the best mechanics I have ever come into contact with. The mechanics name is Richard Pratt. His website is www.captainrichardpratt.com. There is nothing Richard did not know about the Turbojet 115. In about 4.5 hours he put my motor back together and timed it on the water with me watching. The Turbojet went from a blown power head to a smooth running engine. The mechanic taught me how to start the Turbojet. My 1994 Turbojet required a little throttle advance for the initial start. Once started and warmed up, and if you shut the motor off, all you had to do was turn the key and the turbojet would fire right up. Here's how I solved my problem on my new boat [that is, the boat that is the subject of this discussion, which we will soon learn is a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE with 175-HP Mercury Sport Jet XR2] : I came home last night and read the service manual for about three hours. I learned a lot, and came to the conclusion I was trying to start my 1997 RAGE the same as my 1994 RAGE. There was no need for me to advance my throttle yesterday. There was no need for me to choke my Sport Jet as much as I did. I flooded it. I also found on a lot of forums I read that the Sport Jet can take a minute to warm up and can be a little harder to start when cold. This morning I hooked up the flush kit to the hose, and followed the starting instructions I read in the Mercury Marine Service Manual and Operation and Maintenance manual. The Sport Jet fired right up and shut down. I waited a second, and then turned the key again. Sport Jet fired right up then shut down. The third time, the Sport Jet started and ran great, and did not shut down until I turned the key off. I am going to put the boat in the water without my family and run it to make sure my issue is resolved and make sure my Rage will start in the water. Thanks for your interest in my problem, and assisting me with fixing the problem. This site is awesome! I also believe the reason I didn't have [a problem starting the engine] two weeks ago was because I started the boat in the driveway before I put it in the water. When I got to the boat ramp, the boat fired right up and off we went.
jimh	posted 07-28-2012 01:50 PM ET (US) I think your new boat is a 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE. Is that correct? I'd like to nail that down so readers don't have to read the entire thread to the end to find out what the boat being discussed happens to be. Also, it appears from your last remarks that the helpful mechanic you happened to meet at the ramp was wrong about the diagnosis of no-spark. Is that correct? There was not a problem with the spark ignition is how I read your last comments.
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 02:24 PM ET (US) Yes, my new boat is a 1997 Boston Whaler Rage with the Mercury Sport Jet 175 XR2. Yes, the helpful mechanic was wrong. Had to be wrong, just like I was wrong in my starting method. I learned to let the engine and it's components do the work. No more throttle advance for this boat! No more flooding!
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 02:29 PM ET (US) I'm hoping this thread will help someone. Due to the fact I didn't think I had any spark. I ran across a lot of people having no spark. A lot of them spent quite a bit of money to diagnose the problem. I just spent three hours reading and learning the correct starting procedure, and how the fuel delivery components work. I overdid it yesterday evening just by improperly starting it. Using the correct method this morning resolved [the problem with no start]. I already put the boat in the water and it fired right up. Ran it with no [problems]. Back home now, loading the boat up with the grill and family to enjoy a beautiful day in Sunny Southeast Florida!
Rage Jet	posted 07-28-2012 10:34 PM ET (US) What a great afternoon of boating! Boat ran just as good as it looks! BBQ with my two boys, daughter, and wife. Was told yesterday I had no spark. All I did this afternoon was start it correctly.
jimh	posted 07-29-2012 07:55 AM ET (US) Thanks for the additional information about your 1997 Boston Whaler RAGE. Every motor has its own starting procedure. It is common that an operator will think they know how to start an engine, but, as you found, the manufacturer usually knows best how to start the engine. Following the recommended starting procedure in the owner's manual for your engine is likely to produce the best starting behavior. Cold engines often need some fuel enrichment of the fuel:air mixture to start and run smoothly until they warm up. As you found, there is no universal method provided to accomplish this, and each engine will typically have its own method.