4.3gl long crank runs fine once on.

Jarcher3

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i have a vp 4.3gl pefs. 2001 larson 190lxi.

its always been a long crank for it, once its running its usually fine, but we dont listen to the radio when parked to not drain the battery.

i just did wires, plugs, cap and rotor. first couple of cranks was the the best its ever cranked. then after cruising for a bit and parking for 6 hours of so, it wouldnt start and had a slow crank, we replaced the battery after a tow and it still was a long crank.. idk if it was flooded from pumping the throttle so much. the next day out it was back to its old ways of a long crank.

where do i need to start to diagnose this? i normally pump 3 times on the throttle then advance to about half throttle and crank. once running and warm we don't have issues.

EDIT: changed the plugs wires etc, due to missfire and rough idle at the start of the season.
 
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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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You have a corroded connection somewhere
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Start at battery with tools, 150 grit sand paper, dielectric grease and marine electrical varnish. Disconnect, sand, clean every connection shiney enough your mother in law will eat off them, only stop when you stop coming to connections.
 

Donald0039

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I would use a brass wire brush and not go crazy cleaning the connectors. You want to remove the corrosion but not remove any plating on the connectors.

When is the last time the carburetor was professionally rebuilt?
 

Jarcher3

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Okay, so just along the battery path? Or do ignition connectors or general body connections matter?

The carb hasn’t been touched as long as I’ve had it.. I’ve adjusted the idle but nothing more.. mechanic(not reputable) told me they aren’t rebuildable. I did just look something up on adjusting the choke, the last time I recall looking at it, idk if it was actually closing all the way
 

Donald0039

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Okay, so just along the battery path? Or do ignition connectors or general body connections matter?

The carb hasn’t been touched as long as I’ve had it.. I’ve adjusted the idle but nothing more.. mechanic(not reputable) told me they aren’t rebuildable. I did just look something up on adjusting the choke, the last time I recall looking at it, idk if it was actually closing all the way
For carb rebuilding I have sent a few to Treadwell Carb. in Treadwell NY. They can do any carb, from old tractor carburetors to marine engine carburetors.

I think you need to look at the low current ignition or fuel pump circuits. Not starter or high current draw circuits. Assuming the engine turns over at normal speed. Ignition switch should be looked at also. They do fail from time to time.
 

Jarcher3

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For carb rebuilding I have sent a few to Treadwell Carb. in Treadwell NY. They can do any carb, from old tractor carburetors to marine engine carburetors.

I think you need to look at the low current ignition or fuel pump circuits. Not starter or high current draw circuits. Assuming the engine turns over at normal speed. Ignition switch should be looked at also. They do fail from time to time.
you think checking for corrosion on the low current circuits?

the hard part is the engine will crank okay for the first attempt, then quickly drop in voltage for the subsequent attempts..
 

Donald0039

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you think checking for corrosion on the low current circuits?

the hard part is the engine will crank okay for the first attempt, then quickly drop in voltage for the subsequent attempts..
So does the engine crank at roughly the same speed for the first attempt and second and third and forth. Obviously at some point you are draining the battery and the cranking speed will drop.

If the speed drops over the first several attempts then you need to check all the battery cables connections. Possibly the starter and solenoid.

I thought you were describing cranking for a long time before it starts.
 

Jarcher3

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So does the engine crank at roughly the same speed for the first attempt and second and third and forth. Obviously at some point you are draining the battery and the cranking speed will drop.

If the speed drops over the first several attempts then you need to check all the battery cables connections. Possibly the starter and solenoid.

I thought you were describing cranking for a long time before it starts.
for the first and second, but then it will taper off after that..

its both really, it doesnt usually start right up. normally its a long crank and sometimes multiple cranks. usually out after ive run the engine for a bit then sit parked is when it doesnt do as well...
 

Jarcher3

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just an update on this, i ended up taking all the battery terminals and connections and cleaned and greased and the cranking maintained speed much better than it normally does. still not turning over right away, i think i have a fuel issue on cranking that i havent been able to look into the carb while cranking. i have fuel flowing once running but dont know if its going on cranking, i usually prime about 3 pumps then crank.
 
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