Evinrude Etec with oil inside case.

[DogCavalry]

Tipped up the engine, made a puddle in the splashwell.

You can see the high "water" mark on the air cleaner. @baeckmo suggested a reason. I'm gathering data. Engine ran poorly for a week. Now it won't start.

 

[fallguy]

Open the air box and check to see if it is draining. There is a drain in the bottom. It could be clogged?

 

[DogCavalry]

Will do. Any reader ever opened one of these? The service manual mentions the air box twice. In the intro it describes it. The index says on pg 217 - removal.
On pg 217 it says, "remove it".

I've got all the bolts out. It's trapped by something else, but even flopping around loose, engine still won't start. I've hit the starter about 50 times, but no smell of fuel. No oil in water...

Per @baeckmo I'll try the plugs next.

 

[fallguy]

Will do. Any reader ever opened one of these? The service manual mentions the air box twice. In the intro it describes it. The index says on pg 217 - removal.
On pg 217 it says, "remove it".

I've got all the bolts out. It's trapped by something else, but even flopping around loose, engine still won't start. I've hit the starter about 50 times, but no smell of fuel. No oil in water...

Per @baeckmo I'll try the plugs next.

get an in line plug tester and make sure you have fire; it is a basic test that separates debug between electrical and fuel and after that you'll stop hitting the starter until you find the issue

But. It sounds like fouled or not getting fuel.

 

[DogCavalry]

Not getting fuel. Fuel pump after that white fuel filter is running bone dry. Poop.

 

[fallguy]

Not getting fuel. Fuel pump after that white fuel filter is running bone dry. Poop.

At least you know the issue; that is generally good news and easier than a deep mystery.

 

[DogCavalry]

At least you know the issue; that is generally good news and easier than a deep mystery.

Make further trouble shooting a lot more straightforward.

 

[DogCavalry]

I haven't started cutting off clamps, but the lift pumps in the fuel system run off pressure/vacuum pulses from the cylinder/crankcase assembly. As @baeckmo pointed out, that area has accumulated oil. I might have XD100 all through that system. That would explain everything.