Hard starting-still

[rthomas]

In the last few weeks I have installed a new carb, changed the plugs and checked the timing. It runs well and the fuel economy is up a little bit, but still even with a choke that works it takes 15 sec. or so of cranking to start cold and 4-5 sec. when its warm. I was hoping in addition to other improvements the starting would become easier, this is the only complaint about this motor, I'm begining to wonder if this has something to do with the boat being in the water and having some back pressure. Its been a while since i've had it out of the water but if I remember correctly it does start easier on the dry.

 

[telstar1]

Re: Hard starting-still

Sounds like a fuel issue to me.
Is there fuel there right off the bat? Check for this by holding choke open temporarily and pumping throttle while looking down carb. Does it shoot a good stream of fuel when you pump throttle?If so carb has a supply of fuel, thats prob. not your problem.
When it does start does it catch all of a sudden or kind of slowly catch with a lot of associated smoke--signs of flooding ---ie float valve could be leaking or float set too high.

Have you tried letting go of key after a few seconds of cranking and does engine catch or try to fire then?Signs of ignition voltage issues.

 

[rthomas]

Re: Hard starting-still

It's getting fuel, two pumps seems to be too much when its cold, but one isnt enough. I also checked power @the coil- 12.3v same as the battery, one thing I havnt tried is jumping the coil to the batt. when cranking just in case I have a large drop in voltage at the ign switch when cranking.

 

[telstar1]

Re: Hard starting-still

I think you are on the right track, of course what really counts is how many volts get to coil when starter is engaged. Hence my question abt whether it seems to catch if you disengage starter momentarily. What type ignition syst do you have?Also did you eliminate flooding as a poss.?

 

[6meter]

Re: Hard starting-still

My '86 260 needs more than 2 pumps of the throttle to start cold. Mine works best when I pump once, close the choke, crank it for 2-3 seconds then pump the throttle 5-6 times, then crank with throttle 1/4 open. Never fails.

 

[rthomas]

Re: Hard starting-still

Well I tried jumping the coil directly to the batt. and its still the same. 6meter, that same procdure worked great on my old q-jet when it was warmer out but as it got colder too much pumping would just make it flood, now with the new e-brock if I pump it more than one and a half times it will definately flood and that results in a long term cranking fest. A little cranking (5-6 sec) seems acceptable when its cold but Id like to be able to tap the key when its warm and have it start, right now and same as with the old q-jet when its warm the best way is to hit the starter and slowly advance it to about 1/4 throttle and it will start but thats still a 4-5 sec. procedure.
Every thing else seems to check out, the batteries are strong, the starter was new last spring and turns the motor over at a good speed, the cap, rotor, and wires are not new but are in good condition. could condensation working backup through the exhaust contrubute to this?

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard starting-still

Describe your starting procedures, in detail, both cold and warm.

 

[rthomas]

Re: Hard starting-still

Cold start: I roll it over for approx. 2 sec. to make sure the carb is full, then I give it one full pump and a partial second pump then I leave the throttle slightley cracked (1/8) then I roll it until it coughs, giving it a little throttle when it does, if you can catch it on the first cough and get it to run for a few seconds your in luck, but if it doesnt it will take a good bit of cranking before it'l run.

Warm start: this has been the best way for both Q-jet and E-brock roll it over and advance the throttle slowly while doing so, it will usualy catch by the time it gets to 1/4 throttle, if its only been a couple mins. it might start with the tap of the key. Pumping at all when its warm will flood it and take much longer cranking time.

 

[rthomas]

Re: Hard starting-still

Last night I tried leaning the choke out all the way and it started much easier, in a bit i'll run down and seee if it'l do it again. I didnt use a honest spark tester, but I used a scredriver in the coil wire and it was jumping 1.5" consistantly.

 

[6meter]

Re: Hard starting-still

If 1 1/2 pumps floods a V8 with a 4 bbl, you have other issues. I have doubts its flooding, could be wrong, I'm not there. Or, that is the result of other issues. Weak spark as mentioned, low compression or timing off come to mind.

 

[HPTGreyGhost]

Re: Hard starting-still

1) Do you have a carb spacer or is the carb mounted directly to the intake manifold? I've seen similar symptoms with a hollow side carb spacer mounted upside down.

2) Have you checked for minor vaccum leaks? Check the hoses for cracks or wear? Smoke test is best.

3) maybe timing? condensor gap or dizzy off a few degrees?

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Hard starting-still

compression test?? i have a 454 that i couldnt get going for the life of me, it was a combo of a bad quadrajet and low compression..

 

[rthomas]

Re: Hard starting-still

Its definately the choke, started just fine without it again even though I had it set very lean to begin with. I'll guess the accelerator pump on the new carb is working very well witch made it easy to flood when the choke was closed. last winter I did a comp. test and they were all 175-179 if I remember, and there is nothing else telling of a problem like that. I'll see if the warm start improves as I get the jetting and idle mixtures fine tuned, but for now thats not too big a deal.