Cold Start Problem

[mrtopknight]

My boat is like hit or miss to start when it sits a couple weeks. Sometimes one pump and 1/4 throttle will do it and sometimes 10 pumps will do it. Once started it's fine all day and fires right up. It is even fine the next day, but after a week or so it gets harder and harder to initially crank.

I found these post pretty intereting. The first link is the problem and the second link is the fix. Seems like a cool fix. Why didn't SR think of this?

The Problem

The Fix

 

[BSenzina]

Cold starts

I had a 98 215EC with a carb that had a similar problem. The way Searay explained it to me was that the fuel evaporated from the line and thats why it ws a problem to cold start after a long down time.
It was a headache sometimes, but pumping seemed to be the solution. I thought about keeping a little gas available to squirt into the carb, but I never got around to that prior to selling it.

 

[mrtopknight]

I think I might also change the water separator, It's been about a year now.

 

[SearayPaul]

Do NOT squirt gasoline down that carb unless your medical and life insurance is paid in full. If the motor backfires through the carberator you could start a fire. Fires and boats do not go together.

I have a customer who did the exact same thing and is burned all over his face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. He has had multiple skin grafs and infections and spent many weeks in the Augusta burn center. Despite his many therapies he will never regain full control of his hands and will be disfigured for life. He is very lucky to be alive.

Paul

 

[rondds]

i have the same problem. hard to start cold, barely touch the ignition when hot and they fire up with the greatest of ease. i have tried every possible combination and permutation of pumping. what seems to work a bit better for me is a full pump, then crank for about 5 seconds, stop, then pump WHILE cranking another few seconds and they'll fire up. i guess with non-electric fuel pumps, the engine has to crank to move fuel up and into the carb. so it's going to take a few cranks to get it going, no matter what you do.

i'll take this problem ANY DAY over vapor lock, which i had REAL BAD in my first boat ( regal 19' cuddy ).

 

[mrtopknight]

I tried that same combination and she cranked half way through the first pump while cranking. So far this has been my easiest cold start. :thumbsup:

 

[JPSchmitty]

Another potential casue of the problem could be a fuel pump on its last legs. With my 185 BR, I had a similar problem most of last summer (2005). When I tried to start the boat up again this past spring, the fuel pump had finally expired and had to be replaced.

My symptoms also included long cranking time before finally starting when the boat had sat for more than a day or so. And like you, once I did get her to start, she would run like a champ the rest of the day.

Fortunately this wasn't too expensive of a fix, and I have had no similar problems so far this year.

Not sure if this is any help, but it might give you something else to take a look at.

Schmitty

 

[mrsrobinson]

If you have an electric choke, try adjusting the choke. There are 3 screws you loosen, let the butterfly flap close, then tighten up the screws. Unplug the wire running into the choke before you do this. The screws have a funny head on the too, like a star. You will need a special wrench for this.

Our symptons were identical to yours. Once we adjusted the choke for warm weather they fire right up.

 

[mrtopknight]

UPDATE!! :thumbsup:

After several cold start attempts I finally got it. Before I do anything with the throttle I simply turn the key and let the engine turn over for 6-8 seconds and the turn the key off. Next I give it (1) pump to engage the choke, return it to 1/4 throttle. Then I turn the key and within 2 seconds she fires right up.

I'm not a mechanic and don't know what this combination does but it seems to work every time. If someone knows please enlighten me. :smt017