A few starting ???'s Just traded pontoon for 1996 Sylvan w/ 4.3 V6 Mercruiser

[rhillman75]

I just trade my pontoon for a 1996 Sylvan 196 w/ a 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Gen+. I was trying to get a manual for the boat (controls, dash lights, switches, etc... and with no avail... I can't find anything!) My main question is start-up procedure. I know the throttle forwards and reverse, however, how do you get it to idle at start up when it is cold? The owner said there was a button on the bottom center of the commander throttle arm that you need to push "in" for choke while you are starting in order to prevent the drive shaft from engaging. So my ? is...before you go to turn the key should you push that button in and slide the throttle a little forward and "hold" the button while you crank and then pull the throttle back to idle? I did get it started when cold without pushing the button but it did take a while. Any answers on startup would be GREAT!

 

[extreme76]

Re: A few starting ???'s Just traded pontoon for 1996 Sylvan w/ 4.3 V6 Mercruiser

I am not an expert but I do have a 98 4.3l. Here is what I do on mine. I push the "button" put the lever all the way forward once (shoots gas from acc. pump) and then back to not quite 1/2 way down. Then start her up, I have heard other people do it twice or more (pump), but once usually works on mine. Make sure then to adjust throttle once it starts (don't let it rev way up). I usually run mine at about 1200-1500 rpm in neutral until she warms up. The rest of the day she will fire up in the idle position no problem.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: A few starting ???'s Just traded pontoon for 1996 Sylvan w/ 4.3 V6 Mercruiser

The choke is automatic.All that button does is release the control arm for throttle only.Move it all the way forward a couple times and back to about 1/3 throttle then turn the key.
Think of it like an old car when you had to pump the gas a couple times to start it.