Boat Hard To Start the First Time

[JimKW]

I did not get an owner's manual with my boat and it was already on the water the frist time I heard it running. It runs great, but after sitting all week when I go out on the weekend it is very hard to start the first time. After that it starts right up. I have tried giving it gas in neuetral and I have tried not moving the throttle at all and neither one seems to work.

One problem is I have trouble hearing whether it is running or not when I try to start it at the crowded loading/unloading area. What I did last weekend was put the muffs on it and started in the back yard for a few minutes before going to the lake. It started right up at the lake, but I had to crank it a good while in the backyard to get it started initially. I revved it very little in neutral while on the muffs, no more than 1500 rpms.

Is there a trick to starting them the first time? Does it just need a tuneup? If so, is there a certain type of spark plug and wires I should use? I have never cranked it to where I ran the batteries down, but it just seems to take too long to start. It does not have a choke does it? I sure don't see one.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

What type and brand engine? Was it new or "new to you"? If used, how many hours?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

If you don't know when the last time it's been tuned up, then ya a tune-up would be a good idea and keep a log of everything you do so you can look back on the work you've done and when, if you have a choke you could try adjusting your choke, I had a similar problem and adjusted the choke and now she fires right up the way she should. She was only run twice since tune-up when I adjusted the choke.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

There should be a throttle neutral button or lever on your throttle assembly that allows you to move it without engaging the gears.Press and hold and move your handle to 3/4 and back a couple of times.This is how mine works.
EDIT:On some controls you pull out on the lever to achieve neutral throttle.

OR there are ignition switches that you just push in on the key while cranking to activate the choke.

OR there may be a choke button near the ignition switch.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

This is how I do it:
Pump the throttle 2 or 3 times (make sure at least one pump is WOT, this sets the choke). Leave the throttle at 1/4 to 1/3 open and turn the key. Be ready to lower the RPM's if they are to high after it starts. Eventually you will figure out exactly where to leave it.
If it doesn?t start almost immediately, you have a problem.


EDIT: Use the throttle button like Bart says, thats the step I left out.

 

[blouderback]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Even though I have Mercruiser's "Turn-Key Starting" feature on my 5.0L carb'd engine, it doesn't start like the manual says. The manual says, when cold, leave the throttle in neutral and crank. What actually works for me is to pump the throttle 2 or 3 times BEFORE turning the key, then setting the throttle at the fast idle setting, then turning the key. It usually starts up after about 3-4 seconds of cranking.

If I followed the owner's manual, it takes about 5 cranking sessions of 15-20 seconds each until it fires up when cold. When warm, or even if it's been sitting a few hours or even a whole day, THEN the "Turn-Key Starting" instructions work.

BTW, I almost ALWAYS do the muffs in the driveway thing before I go to the ramp, so I KNOW it'll start right up at the ramp.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

JimKW,

Is your engine a carb'd unit, I take it??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

What Have You Got??????????

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

What Have You Got??????????

I remembered from another thread that it had a merc 4.3 190hp. I?m assuming it?s the same boat since he didn?t say it was a different one. Its never good to assume the way we all did though.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

I remembered from another thread that it had a merc 4.3 190hp. I?m assuming it?s the same boat since he didn?t say it was a different one. Its never good to assume the way we all did though.

My 4.3TKS is exactly the same, in fact it won't excellerate at all until it's warmed up a few minutes. Glad it isn't just me. As others have stated, pumping the throttle a few times does the trick. If it doesn't start the first try, I pump again, and usually the second try it'll fire right up. Sometimes I go a few weeks between use as well.


Ian

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

carb'd?

pull the flame arrestor off and make sure the choke is closing the butterfly valve when the engine is cold. a pump or 2 of the throttle and it should close almost all of the way.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Oh sorry, it is a Mercruser 4.3 with 190 HP and it is carb'd. I never really tried pumping it at all cause I was afraid I would flood it. I do know how to put it in neutral though. It is a push button on the bottom of the throttle. I never put it in gear while on the muffs.

I might as well give it a tune up since I have not idea when the last one was or if it even had one. It does not have an hour meter, but I don't think there are many hours on it at all. Everything about the boat looks like it's practically new and the young guy I bought it from didn't seem to be one to lie to me and he said he didn't use it enough to justify keeping it and he needed money to buy a house. Hell he owed $1200 more than I gave him for it. I know that for a fact cause I went to the bank with him to get the title.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Yup, in the pivot point of the control is what looks like just a cap, it's actually a push button of sorts. Push it in to control the throttle without putting it in gear. It should pop back out when in the nuetral position so you need to hold it in until you move the control to the first notch..pump a couple of times (I do three times to full throttle and back) and should go one the first, if not second try. Much like the ol' carb'd cars. Same deal, my old cutlass required about half throttle to start as well with a 4 barrel holley on it.

Ian

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Have you been to the "ADULTS ONLY" in the "Mercruiser,OMC,Volvo & Other I/O & inboard Engine & Outdrives" click on the adults only and your manual should be there, It is the Mercruiser Manual.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Went out today and first started it in driveway on the muffs again. Pumped it full throttle three times, and then left at about 1/3 throttle and it started right up on the first try w/o hardly any cranking. Had to pull back on the throttle pretty quick when it started though. Pumping is the trick which was what I was kind of reluctant to do.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Went out today and first started it in driveway on the muffs again. Pumped it full throttle three times, and then left at about 1/3 throttle and it started right up on the first try w/o hardly any cranking. Had to pull back on the throttle pretty quick when it started though. Pumping is the trick which was what I was kind of reluctant to do.

thats how i have to do mine, its a 5.0 with a carb on it. I also ALWAYS start it the night before on the muffs, that seems to help it out alot, then when i drop it in the water the next morning, it fires right up with no problem.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

Ah, kids that grew up with fuel injection.

Yeah I grew up with fuel injection.

I learned to drive on a 1954 Ford six cylinder stick on the column with a manual choke. My JD Tractor still has a manual choke, but I woud never pump it. Full choke, once it starts give it some gas and start pushing the choke in.

Guess I should have know to pump it shouldn't I, being that it does not have a manual choke? I have to admit to feeling a little anxious when I was trying to start it with all those people around me and you feel like everybody is looking at you. Each time out I pay less and less attention to them though.

Wife and I looked like real pros today putting it in and out. Matter of fact I had the bumpers on the starboard side thinking I would just pull straight in to the far dock. Well there was somebody there so we had to go to the other side. My wife started moving the bumpers, and I said don't bother and swung into the dock bow out stern in so the dock was still on the starboard side.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

I have to admit to feeling a little anxious when I was trying to start it with all those people around me and you feel like everybody is looking at you. Each time out I pay less and less attention to them though.

thats golden right there. 2nd time out with my boat, some guy told me to hurry up. I ground the prop on the ramp trying to get out of his way. That was the last time anyone rushed me. now, i take my time, boat stays on the trailer til its started, and i dont care how long it takes, im only there once that day. glad you worked it out, thats a Sweeeet lookin boat!

 

[SeanT]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

2 barrel carb here, same issues starting, though I admit I'm probably due for a tune up and a good carb cleaning. Like others, I like to fire everything up and let it idle a bit on the muffs before we head out, just gives me comfort.

I didn't know that hitting WOT before starting can set the choke - I'll try that, or check in my manual for it. Good tip. I usually crank the throttle 3 or 4 times before turning it over too.

Also, I was reading in my PCOC study manual that a recommended best practice (in Canada anyway) is to idle the boat for a few minutes at the dock before pulling away, especiailly in a marina environment. It can prevent stalling at a really bad time. For me it's perfect to start the boat and let idle for 5 minutes or so while the wife parks the truck and trailer.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Boat Hard To Start the First Time

ok, don't mean to "hijack" but I didn't see the need to start a new thread to clarify this question, but what exactly does the "pumping" do?

I've been meaning to post a similar thread, but just browsing tonight, his symptoms are exactly like mine. Once launched, engine starts up instantly all day... Today I went out, it's been 10 days since I last launched.. I primed it (1998 Evinrude 70hp OB) normally don't prime, but been trying to figure out how best to make it start after sitting for a week. Priming seems to make no difference...

I have been trying (as I did today) to push in the button, and throttle up 1/2 way, but I didn't pump it... then after more cranking and cranking, I could smell gas, and it still hadn't fired..

So... pumping it... 3 times you say? I just want to understand what this would do? or is it even relevant on my OB? Cheers