Carb and choke issues

[acdc96]

My 1987 mercruiser 260HP V8 has carb problems. I just started the engine today since August/September of last year and it runs like crap. I just cleaned all the water hoses, thermostat housing, and water circulating pump. And put it all back together.
The carb has not been rebuilt in a while (2-3 years I think? Maybe more). But the choke is staying shut for some reason. The device that opens and shuts the choke moves as it should. The linkage is all their for the choke. I can open the choke manually by hand but as soon as I let go it springs shut.
I was running it at half throttle to keep it running. I had zip tied the choke so it would be somewhat open. It sounded healthy but acted like it was starving of fuel. The jets are clean. When I advance the throttle I see the jets squirt out gasoline.
Also, when it was running I saw little puffs of blue smoke come out of the flame arrestor. The engine would lag every time it would do that.
I just drained the block of water. Yes I took the block and manifold plugs out And un hooked the water pump and power steering cooler hoses.

What is wrong with the carb/choke?
I believe their is a spring missing. I don't know that why I'm asking.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Carb and choke issues

Elecrtic or manifold heat choke ?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Carb and choke issues

A 1987 should have electric choke if original.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Carb and choke issues

Electric will have a little round black thing with a wire to it. Check for voltage there with the key on.
Divorced will have a link to a metal coil on top of the intake.
If it runs Ok with the choke held open you are on the right track.
Look also for disconnected links.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Carb and choke issues

It's not a electric choke. I included a pic of the choke.
It's a 4bbl. Rochester Quadrajet carb. I believe the motor is a 1987 but it could be a 1986.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Carb and choke issues

It's not a electric choke. I included a pic of the choke.
It's a 4bbl. Rochester Quadrajet carb. I believe the motor is a 1987 but it could be a 1986.
View attachment 221634

Ayuh,... That's the vacuum pull off,... What's on the Other side of the carb,..??

There should be a choke stove, or electric pot,...

 

[Walt T]

Re: Carb and choke issues

I agree, no power to choke spring or spring is broken. Wrong side as James Bondo says.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Carb and choke issues

Mine has the choke on that side, I think his linkage isn't there.
I don't see the coil (choke stove) on the intake manifold though, and I don't see any electric pot.
Some folks just wire the choke open and warm up the motor before heading out. I bet the guy who had the boat before him did that. Could be that the manifold is not original, some aftermarket intake manifolds don't have the passage to warm the stove coil. Some folks don't want a choke so they remove it or wire it open. For a summer use engine you could go without, it just takes a little understanding and warming up before you head out. I tried it, my motor runs fine, but it cold starts and runs better the way the carb maker designed it.
Here's a look at the page from the manual.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Carb and choke issues

Yep, that carb is designed for a divoriced thermostat or bimetalic coil, I dont even see a place on the manifold for one. Tie the choke open with a plastic zip tie. You will just have to pump it a couple of times to start it and nurse it along until it warms up.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Carb and choke issues

i want to upload more pictures but it wont let me.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Carb and choke issues

I looked at the pic and said well that's odd, but a previous owner probably replaced the manifold for some reason, you should have either a chock stove with a bi metallic coil, or an electric heating element (not sure what your Merc had new but my OMC has the choke stove)...
This is not mine but this is what the choke stove looks like.
At this point your best option is to try to adapt a manual choke kit to it, if you can find one with a long enough cable.