Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

Tmakaro

Seaman
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Nov 22, 2011
Messages
69
Hi, I have a 2002 Bayliner 1952 Capri with a 3.0L Mercruiser WITHOUT TKS. I find that it can be a pain to start sometimes. Does anyone have experience with a 3.0L with TKS? Is it much better than not having it? Can it be retrofitted onto my 3.0L?
 

Fun Times

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May 16, 2009
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Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

Yes mercruiser has a kit to retrofit, but honestly the majority of the people that have them seem to wish they didn't.:(

You may just need to repair or re-adjust the carb you have now along with the possibly of the ignition timing.

Adjusting the Mercruiser 3.0's requires extreme patiences at times.;):cool:

P.S, you posted in the wrong forum section, This is the outboard section, so most likely your thread will be moved to the Mercruiser forum down a few notches on the home page.;)
 

Bondo

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Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

Ayuh,... The TKS is a step backwards,...

Much easier, 'n cheaper to just Learn how to start a carbed motor, 'n keep it tuned up....

Carbed motors need the throttle pumped a couple times, atleast once to Full throttle, to set the choke...
 

Don S

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Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

Do you know how to use the throttle only button on your present throttle/shift control? You can do a lot of adjusting on your present carb for the $960 the kit costs. I think they are NLA now.
Having had to work on those things for customers, a number of times. Most were considering going to the older type carb like you have.
 

Tmakaro

Seaman
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Nov 22, 2011
Messages
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Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

Do you know how to use the throttle only button on your present throttle/shift control?

If I didn't I'd take off when I got started ;)
 

Don S

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Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

If I didn't I'd take off when I got started ;)

Trust me, it's not uncommon for people to come to this forum and complain that the engine is hard to start, only to find they didn't know there was that button.

If you have to crank a carbed engine more than a couple of revolutions, you probably need a tuneup, or a carb rebuild/adjustment or both. Or you could have other problems like low compression on a cylinder or two. Downgrading to a TKS won't cure that.
 

ENSIGN

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jun 21, 2009
Messages
1,179
Re: Can TKS(turn key start) be retrofitted onto an older 3.0L?

The TKS carb was one of mercrusers better ideas that went wrong!
 
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