4.3lx hard to start when cold

[kaw550]

The last couple weeks my engine would fire up on the first try then stall. A few tries later it will run for a second but it doesn't do anything after that.

With a shot of ether, it fires right up.

Unfortunalty I was alone each time so I couldn't look into the carb to see if it was getting gas.

So I have two questions?
With the key in the "on" position, there was no power to the fuel pump. Is that normal? Once I get it going it runs fine. I checked the fuses they were fine.

Does the carb have an accelerator pump? I should see gas whn I pump the throttle lever, right (The boat is an hour away so I can't check).

 

[CheeseCutter]

Re: 4.3lx hard to start when cold

With the key in the "on" position, there was no power to the fuel pump. Is that normal?

For starting, the pump doesn't get power until you move the key to the starting position.

Does the carb have an accelerator pump? I should see gas whn I pump the throttle lever, right

Yes it has an accelorator pump and yes you should see gas when you pump it. You may have the problem with this carb in which the bowl leaks out after sitting for a while. If that's the case, you won't see gas pump out the jets because the bowl is empty.

See this recent thread for some background:
hard cold starts