'93 VRO150 cold starts

[Broken1]

My 150 is on a Stratos bass boat. It is very hard to start when cold (after sitting for a week). I can start at home on muffs with no problems, but drag it to the river and it won't start for love or money. I go thru the sequence...pump bulb, turn key and push in, hold for the 8 count then engage starter. Nothing!<br />Usually, I will wait for an hour and hit the starter and it will fire up. Cold, will have to start 3 or 4 times before it will stay running. I have checked the elect. primer...OK. I have replaced plugs (Champion QL77...the ones the book calls for). After it runs, it will start w/o problems. I have noticed the idle seems high (1500rpm in neutral). Rough idle also. Boat doesn't have many hours on it even being a '93. I bought it 5 yrs ago from older man the scared himself in it. He only used it twice. I haven't put more than 50 hours on it. Oh, I have also removed, cleaned and primed oil tank and lines. Removed fuel filter before VRO pump and cleaned. Pumped out fuel tank and filled with fresh as well as added fuel treatment. Only problem I have found is the roller bushing on the carb linkage was missing. This is the place where the timing advance moves the throttles. I know this is the same old tired repeated problem, but i have read the other post and not really been able to tie "that" situation to the mess I have. Please help!

 

[OBJ]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

2boysdad....instead of holding the key in for 8 seconds and then going to start, push the key in and go directly to start. The reason it starts so easily on muffs is because there is no back pressure against the cylinders as there would be when the engine is in the water. Don't take much fuel to get her going.<br /><br />Give it a try.

 

[cwlandefeld]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

I have a '97 Ocean Pro 150 and it too is hard to start. Tried the old 8 count that I read about in one of the posts in one of these forums. Didn't work on my motor. This past Saturday morning I tried starting it without pushing in the choke. Then with the choke for a few seconds. Then without. Then with. You get the picture. I don't know what the heck I'm doing. I do believe though that it's just a matter of learning what this fussy motor requires to get going when it's cold. Oh, I did get it started and the wife and I headed down to the bay for a fun afternoon. I agree with OBJ, I don't think it takes much fuel to get her going. Good luck!

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

I have tried that also. I have tried to start without pump the primer bulb. I have tried with pumping the primer bulb, but not choking. I have tried choking without pumping the primer bulb. The engine used to start great without pumping the bulb or choking. I have also noticed, after reading the service manual that the quick start doesn't seem to be working. I can remember it having a fast idle and then slowing down. Now, it seems to always have a fast idle (about 1500 rpm in neutral). Could this be an optical sensor failure or possibly a faulty powerpack?<br />Thanks for your help!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

The Quick Start not working is a clue. Something is wrong. When it's cold have you ever checked for spark? <br /><br />Use a spark checker and leave the plugs in.<br /><br />The other clue is that it starts with no backpressure but won't in the water. Check spark in the water so there's backpressure.

 

[gatorred]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

mine has a switch in tilt if not in right place no spark don't over look that

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

I plan to test the spark this weekend. I'll let you know the results.<br />Don't think I have the tilt switch. Haven't found one yet anyway.<br />This engine used to start w/o having to choke or pump bulb. Not anymore.<br />Still leaning toward spark issues. Optical sensor, Quick Start or PowerPak.<br />Thanks for everyone's help and input!

 

[Seasport]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

My '01 150 starts from cold every time using the std technique. BTW Quikstart deactivates over 1100rpm anyway so if you're idle is too high it won't operate.<br /><br />Might pay to check the rotating sensor plate on top of the flywheel (under the plastic cover). Make sure this is returning to the idle position smoothly. They can stick which will affect your idle timing and idle revs.

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

Update:<br />Optical sensor is OK. Sensor/Trigger coil is okay. Tilt switch is good. Thermostats are good. Power packs are good. Rotating plate for quick start is good, not sticking.<br />Possible bad diaphram in vacuum pump that drives the VRO pump? Could this be leaking gas into cylinders? Oil consumption has been checked and verified. Getting deeper and deeper!

 

[ezeke]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

When were the recirculation check valves looked at last? Is the fuel fresh?

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

Fresh fuel.<br />I checked the recirculation fittings, hoses and check valves. Found two check valves in the intake side of the starboard side plugged and one on port side. Removed carbs, manifold and intake to correct. Will try this week to make sure problem has been corrected.

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

The stopped up recirculation check valves were my problem with the rough idle and excessive smoke when trimmed all the way down. Idle is still somewhat rough and high. Its 1000 RPM in gear, in the water. I checked the cold start and it wasn't on...timing not advanced. I'm not sure if it is even working yet. I will check it this weekend when I take it to the lake. Any ideas on the continued rough and high idle?

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

It's back!!!!<br />Flooding after start up, rough idle and excessive smoke. It was now surging aat 3K rpm. That didn't last long and eventually smoothed out. Seems like when I fill up before putting it in the water, I have the problems. If I don't fill up, it seems better. Water in fuel maybe? Fuel filter has always been clean, no trash. Never seen any water. Did find out the quick start is working now. If it would just start and stay running. Idle is better, 900 rpm in gear. Why does it seem these problems come and go?<br />What should I check next? Really feel like problem is in the fuel system.

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

Okay, I found that when the motor is trilled all the way down the upper exhaust is partially below water level. This is causing my irratic idle and smoke. I still have a problem with the quick start not working. I started the motor, in the lake with the cover off. The quick start never moved. As I understand that feature on this motor, it should be activated any time the engine temp is below 105 degrees or the idle exceeds 1100 RPM. Right? When I start up, the idle goes above 1100 RPM and only falls to 1000 RPM. I can run about 2 miles and the idle will only be at 900 RPM (in gear). Should I look at adjusting the idle to see if that will correct the quick start or live with it the way it is? From what I can tell, the sensor is okay. I check the resistance of it while hot and while cold to see if there is a difference. There was.<br />I would like to see the idle lower and have the quick start working. Is it possible for me to adjust the idle, without the engine analyser?<br />Thanks.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

Nothing moves when the motor is in QS. It's all done electronicaly.

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

I thought with the cover off, you could see the plastic timing advance move (advance) when the quick start is working. So the only way to see if the quick start is working is to observe with timing light?<br />Thanks for your help.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

The rpms will advance and then come down. But nothing on the motor moves.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

OK. I have replaced plugs (Champion QL77...the ones the book calls for). After it runs, it will start w/o problems. [/QB]

Your 13 year old manual is out of date. Back in 1996 they changed the plug to an extended nose QL78YC. It may or may not affect your starting, but they definitely help with low speed running.<br /><br />To check your "choke" (primer system), once the motor is running and warmed up, set the fast idle to about 1500 and push in on the key switch. The motor should start to blugger and slow down quite a bit. That shows that the primer system is operational.

 

[Broken1]

Re: '93 VRO150 cold starts

I got the plug information from the owners manual that came with the engine new. I don't doubt there have been plug updates since then.<br />I have checked the primer system as you outlined. It is working.<br />Thanks for the input. If I start the engine and apply heat to the sensor for the quick start, I should notice engine idle changes, correct? If I cool the sensor, I again should notice engine idle changes? The idle never changes after start-up. It will idle, roughly when cold at 900 RPM and when warm at 900 RPM.<br />Could thie be a quick start problem?