Hard starting engine

[Loyd Dinneen]

I have a 77 240sda with twin 470's, the port engine fires right up but starboard engine just cranks until I hit it with a very slight breath of quick start and it fires right up. After it warms up it starts right up without an issue. If I let it set for a day or so same issue shows up. I know it is probably a fuel issue but not quite sure where to start. I have a outboard that had the same issue but that was old fuel and after changing out the fuel and plugs it started better. The the fuel in the 240 I believe is good(I just bought the boat and the previous owner said he had just put some fuel in and had the boat out) I put in about 15 gals of fuel in and it filled up the tank thats 70 gals.
I have yet to inspect the plugs,point gap, and compression.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Avoid the starting fluid, and try setting the choke plate and pumping the throttle a few times when starting cold.

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

I tried the pumping the throttle before and I think all it did was flood it.Looked at a plug today and it looked a little wet. Tried starting the engine but the batteries needed to be charged so the engine isn't turning over fast enough. I have the battery for that engine on the charger and will try again tomorrow. I will look at the choke plate and see how its setting. I know what you mean about the starting fluid some engines get use to it and will only start with it. I'm going to check the fuel bowl to see how fresh the gas is and will change out the plugs. Next I'm going to check the point gap and the points,cap,and rotor. The last thing I will do is do a compression check.
Thanks for your post.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Well, if you still need help you can pick me up at the Flamingo Casino between 11/3 and 11/9

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

Thanks for the offer I will keep that in mind

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

Started both engines today. One of them started up and the choke was set with a 1/8" gap at startup and open full while warming up. The other engine wouldn't start and when I checked the choke it was wide open and loose. When I did get it to start with help(yuk) the plate tighten right up full open at warm up. It seems to me that electric choke on that engine is not functioning on startup. I will check the connections closer as they look like they could use a cleaning. Is there a way to check for power getting to it? Both engines required alot of cranks because I believe the float bowls were dry from setting.
Well thats only one project on this boat now to see why the port trim tab isn't working, I have the assembly out and will run it to see if fluid is making it out to the ram. Another day another project,it's great to be retired, some day I will be able to get this boat out and go fishing. lol

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

Made an adjustment to the choke to get the plate gap at 1/8" then pumped the throttle one time and turned the engine over and it fired right up and then died. I then tried it again and it fired right up and ran like it should.
I also got the trim issue solved with a new port solanoid, hoses,and bleeding I got the tabs to move but the port cylinder is leaking so have a new one coming. Slowly it's all coming together.

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

For all of you that was following this blog I have fixed the problem by rebuilding the carb and fixing in the carb that was messed up by the previous rebuilder or take it aparter person. The carb was missing the accellerator pump check ball and the choke pulloff piston. I rebuilt the carb and manufactured another piston from 1/2 aluminum solid and the bracket from a part off a fishing reel. Now the engine starts right up like it was new. Thanks for everyones help and I hope that my solution helps someone else. Now on to the other stuff on this hole in the water watch for stuff on the out drives yep their screwed up too.