ok guys, heres the story, i bought a boat from a guy and I went to take it out the first time and the darn thing will not start...When i looked at the boat the guy started it first try and it ran for atleast 5 minutes...I don't know much of anything about motors but i assumed it ran well after that...I have been looking at it with my dad, and i am noticing gas coming out of the carburator...a good amount of drips..is this normal? what can I do? I am guessing the engine to be 80's or 90's...thanks guys this is my first boat and I was super excited just to get to the lake ready to fish and no go on the engine :\

Sounds like it is flooding. You may need to rebuild the carbs, or at least take them apart and clean them.

Probally need the carbs rebuilt...Sounds like a needle and seat sticking...Or float could be cracked allowing it to fill up with gas.....Give me a call or pm...

hey spanky...i think your a tad bit too far, im down in san antone...after reading online what you guys are saying is actually what i was thinking! gotta love the internet...how much does it usually cost for a carb rebuild? Could this task be done by a novice? Thanks guys for your swift replies, im trying to get on the water soon!!! just earlier it "kinda" started for a couple seconds then dies...

one more thing in addition to the above... Does just regular ol 2cycle engine oil work? like the kind you add to a weed-eater? I sure hope so because that is whatI added today, at a 50:1 ratio..... I don't think that was the problem because i tried using my dads gastank from his boat and it wouldn't start either...

are u choking it while starting???? Or giving it a lil throttle whike cranking it.... I know my merc did the same thing i was choking it and loading it up with gas and not giving it any air so it wouldn't start..

well will...we have tried both ways...it was smelling like gas after a few cranks so we stopped loading it up with gas...we tried choke/no choke...letting it sit, then trying aggain in an hour...never givin it throttle with the shifter, but there is a lever the guy said to pull up to start (im assuming it's the fast idle lever) that we pull up...we even tried NOT using that lever aswell...hope that helps

check the kill switch

stick steering...that's what my dad was thinking...where is thekill switch???? just FYI guys...today was a new day...i said "why the hell not try" first turn of the key...no choke, no fast idle..started up and ran good...while it was running we sprayed a little carb cleaner and wd40 in the carb...seemed to be running good!!! just like it did when i bought it!! Thanks guys for your help! I will definetely come back if anything pops up...hopefully after the spurs game today i can take her for a actual lake test

Don't spray carb cleaner in it. You are diluting the oil/gas. You do that too much, and you'll cause massive ring failure. Same with WD-40. WD-40 is a degreaser.

If the engine isn't running right, get it fixed. Most mechanics charge an hour per carb, plus kits.

I'm not trying to be abrasive, contrary. I'm trying to keep you from having to do a rebuild.

Just remember, spraying Carb Cleaner in a 2 stroke is not a good thing.

what about starting fluid? I still think the carb isn't running "right" we can get it started, but sometimes have to spray starting fluid in the carb...Should I avoid that too???

Yes, avoid starting fluid. You've got a problem & like Michael said get it fixed now before it cost you more later.

ok, thanks guys...do you all think the carb needs to be rebuilt? I can get it started and it will stay running...I did notice that I was giving it gas in forward letting it run bout mid throttle for a min or two, then upon returing to nuetral it starts to sound like it's going to die, or it dies... This all go along with what yall sayin? the carb rebuild thing... THANKS A BUNCH GUYS!!!!!

If you can get to it ,try tapping on the carb with something. a stuck float can be freed up sometimes.

how would i know if it's the float that is stuck? how would i know the float got "un-stuck"?? Sorry these questions are pretty lame, but this is my first boat and I have very very limited knowledge with motors and such...thanks for your patience guys