Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

[mhensley]

I'm a relatively new boat owner, Have a 2008 Monterey FS. We've had the boat out 5-6 times so far, however EVERY time I go to start the boat, it inevitably takes about 2 minutes for the boat to finally start. I seem to turn the key over 10-15 times before it finally starts. Not sure if this is normal, if the fuel simply takes that long to get in the line, whether I need to prime the fuel line FIRST, whether the trim needs to be at a certain angle for easy start up, etc. Just want to find out if this many "turn keys" is normal for a boat before it finally starts. Thanks!

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Turn key is probably relitive when it comes to boats and owners If you're running a FI engine, it should definitely be turn key, if it's carb'd, it may be a bit more tempermental.

I own a 2005 Monterey FS with a 5.0 merccruiser, carbed. I have/had the same issue. I think I figured out my problem.

When I first go to start (after it's been sitting for a week), I prime by pumping the trottle a couple times, then engine will start right up, no problems.

After I ran it for a while, I followed the same procedure and the engine took as you said a couple of minutes to start up. I think it's because I flooded the engine.

So the next step was to (always ensure the fans run before starting...) just turn the key without any "easy engine starting techniques" that have been passed down from my grandfather. Seemed to solve the problem...at least it did on muffs. Give more info to help solve this problem.

And lastly, i wouldnt be surprised if this was moved to another thread, since we are hinting ever so closely to engine issues...

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

This is probably border line for this section..But..

What motor? OB? I/O? Simply stating the make doesnt help anyone without knowing the motor you are running..
If its an I/O..Is it carb'd? Maybe not being a 2008...But you may want to pump the throttle a couple times to get some fuel in there before firing her up.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

I have an 08 Monterey 180FS with the 4.3 carbed and I had issue one time this weekend starting it. And I gave it a little throttle (pushed down the button on the middle of the lever to just engage throttle and not tranny) and got it started right away.

I spoke to my dealer and he mentioned it could have gotten vapor locked.

A little annoying on a new boat, eh?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Any engine with a carb should take a pump or two of the throttle.
Do you advance the throttle to wide open then pull it back to just above idle before you start it?
On some models this sets the choke and gives it a pump of gas.

Need to know exactly what motor and your starting procedure.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Any engine with a carb should take a pump or two of the throttle.
Do you advance the throttle to wide open then pull it back to just above idle before you start it?
On some models this sets the choke and gives it a pump of gas.

Need to know exactly what motor and your starting procedure.

Thats exactly what I was talking about in my original response! I've always done this, and have always been told to do it. But for some reason, if I do this, my boat wont start. The boat is brand new to me, and doesnt like ANY throttle after it's been warmed up...always found it strange though...

 

[mhensley]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

I've got the same motor as Subliminal (Volvo Penta 6 cylinder)..so prior to turning the key, the majority thinks i should put the throttle to forward and pumping the primer a couple times. At that point, return to idle and then turn the key? I'll do ANYTHING to prevent the 2 minutes of awkward lack of starting..lol

 

[mhensley]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Subliminal, because this our first boat, we could be totally oblivious to what is normal and abnormal..another thing i find a little disappointing in the Volvo (but again this may be normal)...is the little "Kick", or "loud knock" the boat gives when we switch the boat into gear or reverse...does this occur on your boat? I was always under the impression that it would be a smoother kick but again, perhaps this is normal on boats..

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Mine does it too. Thought the beauty of the VP drive was that it smoothly engages and takes off, no bang...but mine seems to clank into gear like any Mercury I've driven.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

The procedure i posted was for cold starting......Warm it should start right up.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

When I had my 3.0 I would always pump it two or three times depending on how long it had been snce I had it out last and then bump the key and it would start almost before it turned over a complete revolution. On a hot motor if it doesn't start right up it could very well be vapor locked. I htink I would just barely crack the throttle in neutral and turn it over when that happened to give it a little fresh air.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

The 4.3L VP in our 06 Four Winns starts up perfect every time. Usually if its been sitting for over a week or so we will pump it once then she fires right up. It should not take 10-15 tries to start any engine.

Our SX OD also does not clunk into gear. Its very smooth with no bangs.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

For anyone younger than 40 setting the choke has become a mystery...lol. If your rig is carbureted you need to give it a shot of fuel and set the choke when it's a cold start. Moving the throttle all the way forward twice does both. Us old timers remember when every car we knew of required this procedure.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Didn't even know I had a choke. Sweet!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

For anyone younger than 40 setting the choke has become a mystery...lol. If your rig is carbureted you need to give it a shot of fuel and set the choke when it's a cold start. Moving the throttle all the way forward twice does both. Us old timers remember when every car we knew of required this procedure.

Exactly!....

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Add 1 more to the "set the choke" fan club, although in the year of my birth there were probably as many FI-cars as there were carbed models. Cold start: pump throttle all the way down twice. Hot start: don't do anything but turn the key. I do agree that any properly maintained/running engine should not require 10-15 start attempts to get it fired unless you starved the thing for fuel or somehow flooded it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

You not only have a choke but it is, rather inappropriately, called an automatic choke. Once the throttle is pumped the choke is automatically set and it gradually releases as the engine begins to warm. As for chokes, how many of you are old enough to remember "manual chokes and manual trottles". At 30 below zero you got in the car, pulled the choke, pulled the throttle out a bit, did a tap dance on the gas pedal and stepped on the starter that was spun (rather slowly) by a six volt battery. How do I know this? These cars were new when I drove them. Hard cold starts generally are due to operator error but can often be due to a misadjusted choke, Now then -- if you didn't know you had a choke, please don't attempt to adjust it. But you can check it's operation. Remove the flame arrestor. Pump the throttle and now observe that the choke plate is fully closed. If you have a four barrel carb, the choke plate is the one facing you. The rear one is an air valve -- don't screw with it. If the choke is not closed on a stone cold engine it needs to be adjusted. NEVER attempt adjusting a choke on a warm engine.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

Pumping the throttle also delivers a shot of fuel through the accelerator pump to aid in starting a cold engine.

 

[MRS]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

1986 4.3 Carbed I always pump it 5,6 maybe 7 times then turn key might take two times but always starts. Once started never have to pump again...

 

[superpop]

Re: Trouble starting newer boat, normal?

On the drive clank, if it is out of the water and thus has no resistance on the prop, you will get a little bit of clank, when in the water though it should be very subtle. Mine is very quiet in the water when I shift. May be out of adjustment though. I love my Volvo setup.