TKS Carbs?

[jhild]

Sort of a carryover from another thread.

Does anyone know anything about the performance of the TKS carbs? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Do they work as advertised?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

I understand that all carbureted Merc engines after 2005 have TKS carbs and that most non-EFI engines back to about 1997 can be retro-fitted. TKS eliminates the choke assembly and replaces it with a fuel enrichment system, but unlike EFI, TKS cannot adjust for altitude or humidity, so it may not work perfectly every time.

For those who cannot master what a choke is and how it works as well as keeping one working, TKS may be a good thing. I'm not particularly mechanically challenged, so I'd stick with a choke if I were in the position to make the decision.....but I'm from the "if it ain't broke; don't fix it" school of thought.

 

[First Born]

Jhild,

Our boat has the TKS and it works great. Yes it does work as advertised. The only time it has not for us is the first start of the weekend we have to prime the throttle one time and she cranks right up. Personally I am a fan :thumbsup:

Wesley

 

[jhild]

Thanks, Frank & Wesley. I’ve never had any problems with my good old 2-barrel, but I was curious. Just trying to educate myself a bit.

Take care,

John

 

[mrtopknight]

I did call my dealer to inquire about the conversion and they said that it would be around $500 to do it. They also said that in their opinion it's not worth it. The difference is that on a cold start with TKS, one pump, turn the key, and she fires up. Without TKS you can achieve the same results by turning the engine over for a couple second before the pump (to enrichen the carb) then one pump all the way down (to activate the choke) next leave it at 1/4 throttle, turn the key, and she fires up.

Basically, the TKS will enrichen without have to turn the engine over first.

 

[First Born]

Agree completely, it is one of those things that is nice if it is standard but would not plop $500 for it. Just my opinion.

Wesley