3.0 carb choke issue

[Barraspalding]

Hi all, recently purchased a 2003 Sea Ray 180br, and our maiden voyage was a little problematic.

Having worked on the engine for a few nights, I have some of the issues sussed - rpm's are back to normal, speedo hole flushed, but I have discovered what I believe to be a non-functional choke on the carby. I'll post a video below, but when attempting to idle the boat in the driveway with muffs, it's chugging black smoke and the water has a nice black sooty film. Another thread mentioned this was common of a choke issue.

I ran the engine today and manually held the choke open (as it's defaulting to closed no matter what I do or how long/warm the engine gets) and it ran/idled beautifully.

Can someone watch the video and confirm if my suspicions are correct.

Apologies for my potty mouth

IMG_4073.MOV on Vimeo

 

[fen-isl]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

Hi, did you use a DMV (digital volt ohm meter) and check to see if you have 12 volts to the choke heater? If you do it maybe bad or just need a slight adjustment. If you dont have 12vdc to heater then your going to have to look for the problem and for that I would look at the top of this forum for your mercruiser manual as it will have wire diagrams .

Good Luck

 

[Grub54891]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

The first thing to do is get a test light or meter, check for power at the wire on the bottom of the choke housing on the left on your video. Key on.Then check the ground that goes to that adjustment screw on the housing. If all good,leave the key on,the housing should get warm to the touch.the housing contains a heated spring to assist the choke plate open. If it has power,but does not get warm,it's heater is shot. Get the carb numbers,and take the housing off,bring it to the local parts store,get a new one. If the housing gets warm,then it's just an adjustment. Loosen the 3 screws,with the housing totally cold,then turn the housing open/lean,till the plate just barely closes. Should be good to go.same adjustment with the new housing if need be. Good luck!
Grub

 

[Gator1996]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

It's achris' evil twin! Cussing through the video, probably drinking and smoking too. Oh good luck with the choke.

 

[Barraspalding]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

Will throw the volt meter on it tonight. I did touch the unit 5 minutes after running, with ignition still on and it was cold.

Will update

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

I had the same issue...choke plate would never open cold/hot.....Had 12 volts to the wire...but would still not warm up.
Would not idle...but if you opened the choke plate and held it the motor ran great.

I just bought a carb rebuild kit and rebuilt the carb........Now it works great

Good luck!

 

[Grub54891]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

I had the same issue...choke plate would never open cold/hot.....Had 12 volts to the wire...but would still not warm up.
Would not idle...but if you opened the choke plate and held it the motor ran great.

I just bought a carb rebuild kit and rebuilt the carb........Now it works great

Good luck!

Must have had a bad ground,when ya removed the wire,it just happend to work!
Grub

 

[Barraspalding]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

Confirmed 12v+ at connector. Still no heat from the choke coil, and it appears over-stretched when removed. I'll see if a local shop has one in stock - but if it's around $90 like I expect I'll hit eBay and get it shipped from USA.

 

[achris]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

It's achris' evil twin! Cussing through the video, probably drinking and smoking too. Oh good luck with the choke.

I resemble that comment!!!

Confirmed 12v+ at connector. Still no heat from the choke coil, and it appears over-stretched when removed. I'll see if a local shop has one in stock - but if it's around $90 like I expect I'll hit eBay and get it shipped from USA.

Check the choke housing is grounded. And that you have current flow, not just voltage on the terminal...

Chris.......

 

[Barraspalding]

Re: 3.0 carb choke issue

I'll grab a new one anyway, it appear to have stretched and to set the choke to just-open I had to turn te unit way way way past the indicated area.

If the new unit doesn't heat up - I'll consult my mechanic as electronics is not my thing