engine does not start right away

[Thunder_SS]

Hey guys, Here is a simple question for some of you.

Last year my boat started just fine every time. Now this year, it normally starts right away and then dies. Then it will not fire a second time, unless I shoot it with starting fluid, then it starts right up. As soon as it is warmed up, then it will start like normal after I shut it off.

Is there an adjustment somewhere I can make on the carb that would eliminate the necessary starting fluid shot.

 

[Thunder_SS]

nobody has any ideas for me.....

 

[Lazy Daze]

What kind of maintenance has been done?

How do your plugs look?

Have you been using any fuel additive? How about during storage?

Do I assume it's 3.0L?

"if" your fuel is good, I'd strat with a double or triple does of Merc's Quickleen fuel additive.

 

[BiffStroganoffsky]

Sounds a bit like the carb needs servicing. If the float is bad or a gasket is leaking, I could see a situation where the fuel bowl is staying dry and not supplying enough gas to keep the engine running at start. Of course, this is more of an automotive experience with me but I think it might be pertinent in this case...unless you have FI which wasn't very common in a '95 Sea Ray 18 footer.

 

[Buckguy]

I have the same problem with my 1997 185 sport. It will sit during the week and start right up on Saturday morning and run all day with no problems. After it sits overnight, it will start right up, but after 10 seconds or so, it will die. Then it won't start again for 30-40 minutes. I'm not really sure what the magic is but after 'tinkering' it finally starts (turn on blower, crank the ignition, hook up aux battery). This happened last year and the dealership said it was the Choke so they replaced at the end of the year but obviously not the problem. Has anyone else had/solved this mystery?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I have the same problem with my 1997 185 sport. It will sit during the week and start right up on Saturday morning and run all day with no problems. After it sits overnight, it will start right up, but after 10 seconds or so, it will die. Then it won't start again for 30-40 minutes. I'm not really sure what the magic is but after 'tinkering' it finally starts (turn on blower, crank the ignition, hook up aux battery). This happened last year and the dealership said it was the Choke so they replaced at the end of the year but obviously not the problem. Has anyone else had/solved this mystery?

Not sure if this would classify as vapor lock, but search around for threads on that. There's also info on Merc's site about it.

 

[springer3]

The problem could be almost anything - intermittent problems are hardest to diagnose. I never use or recommend starting fluid. The stuff is explosive, and it will wash the oil off the cylinder walls if it gets that far before it burns. It is fine for an emergency start, but in most cases the underlying problem is not fixed.

The question about maintenance history is to the point. I have seen people neglect maintenance until the engine will not start. If the boat is stored over the winter, the fuel needs stabilizer, and ideally the fuel carburetor should be burned.

How recently were the plugs replaced? What is the condition of the spark plug wires? Is the fuel stale? What are the compression readings. Get the boat to a professional with an ignition scope and a compression tester. Get those items checked messing with the carburetor (a French word meaning "leave it alone"), or replacing any expensive parts. I need a carburetor rebuild on my "engine runs perfectly" recent purchase. My boat has seen little use, and I suspect the boat was stored without stabilized fuel.

If the maintenance is behind the manufacturer-schedule, get that up to date. If the problems persist, get a professional diagnosis. That is far less expensive and more effective than starting to replace parts in the hope the problem will be found.

Good luck. Be sure to report back, as your symptoms are common, and we all want to know what it really was.