97 175BR 3.0l hard starting

[nwco]

I all this is my first boat and I'm not sure what to look at. I bought this boat back in the spring. And now that I am able to get it out and use it I'm having an issue. So the engine runs great once it has reached operating temp and it'll idle all day long. But when I'm unloading it it will not idle at all. And at the very beginning it will die even idled up to 2000-3000rpm or so. I am not sure what to look for so any ideas on what to look at or do would be a huge help. Because spending 10-15 minutes trying to get away from the boat ramp is not fun for me or anyone else waiting to launch. Thanks

 

[src]

Had a similar problem with my 175BR which I bought earlier this year. What fixed it was going through the normal tune up items, and getting fresh gas into it.

It had about 1/2 tank of gas over the winter, and I suspected it had some water in it. I was able to fill it up with good fresh gas, which seemed to help. The carb was also pretty gunked up, and the choke plate was stuck. I used a spray carb cleaner to soak it pretty well, and got a lot of the visible crud off. This got the choke plate moving which made it TONS easier to start and keep running.

I also did an oil change and replaced the spark plugs (the electrodes looked like little needles, VERY bad). Still need to do the distributor and wires and a carb rebuild, but right now it runs well.

Chances are doing a good tune-up, and getting fresh fluids into it, will go a long way to solving your problem. Unless the engine is toast.

Also, buy a pair of flushing muffs, and do all your testing/adjustments at home before you go to the lake. If you live close enough, you engine can still be warmed up when you get the boat in the water.

 

[Scottbenson]

I would suggest two things to help.. 1-when the outside temps are remotely cool, rapidly pump the throttle handle several times from Nuetral to full throttle before attempting a start. 2-Your choke may not be adjusted properly. This is accomplished by loosening the retaining screws on the choke housing (black round cylinder on the carb) and turning the outer housing a small amount. If you are having a hard time starting in cool temps and overall cool engine run-ability (advanced technical term) you want to turn the housing in the direction that will close the choke plate on the top of the carb more. Don't go too much, or you will be too rich when the engine warms up. When the engine is warmed up, the choke plate should be fully open.

With that said, I have the same engine and I have to pump the throttle about five times on a cold start and baby it a little until it warms up.

 

[just me]

Where you boating at up there in north west colorado ?

 

[nwco]

I would suggest two things to help.. 1-when the outside temps are remotely cool, rapidly pump the throttle handle several times from Nuetral to full throttle before attempting a start. 2-Your choke may not be adjusted properly. This is accomplished by loosening the retaining screws on the choke housing (black round cylinder on the carb) and turning the outer housing a small amount. If you are having a hard time starting in cool temps and overall cool engine run-ability (advanced technical term) you want to turn the housing in the direction that will close the choke plate on the top of the carb more. Don't go too much, or you will be too rich when the engine warms up. When the engine is warmed up, the choke plate should be fully open.

With that said, I have the same engine and I have to pump the throttle about five times on a cold start and baby it a little until it warms up.

Thanks I'll give that a try. Having to baby it would be better than it not wanting to stay running at all

 

[nwco]

Where you boating at up there in north west colorado ?

Most of my time will be on elk head reservoir and some of the lakes around steamboat springs.

 

[just me]

Go check out Lake Powell sometime , My Fav lake in the whole wide world , but i havent been there in 20 years. Have fun with that new boat

 

[LawyerMan]

I all this is my first boat and I'm not sure what to look at. I bought this boat back in the spring. And now that I am able to get it out and use it I'm having an issue. So the engine runs great once it has reached operating temp and it'll idle all day long. But when I'm unloading it it will not idle at all. And at the very beginning it will die even idled up to 2000-3000rpm or so. I am not sure what to look for so any ideas on what to look at or do would be a huge help. Because spending 10-15 minutes trying to get away from the boat ramp is not fun for me or anyone else waiting to launch. Thanks

Do you still have this problem? If not, what did you do to fix it?