hard starting Volvo Penta 260

horndog

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
279
I went out with a friend yesterday and both of us were scratching our heads that his motor takes so long to fire up. He must crank it on and off for several minutes before finally firing. He shuts off the motor and it starts right up.<br /><br />He told me that a mechanic stated its a hard starting motor since its not fuel injection, I told my friend not to talk to that mechanic anymore since he doesn't know his arse from a hole in the ground.<br /><br />Anyways, I thought maybe his timing is off, but wanted to research the issue first before going to mess around with the timing. <br /><br />Any suggestions on what maybe the cause of his hard starting?
 

horndog

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
279
Re: hard starting Volvo Penta 260

one other thing, its a 1986, chevy 350 block, in case you didn't know that
 

Gene70

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 18, 2002
Messages
95
Re: hard starting Volvo Penta 260

First check your distributor. Points may be burned. Replace points and condenser. Set point gap at 16 thousand. You can also remove one spark plug and connect the wire to the plug. Hold it next to block. You should see a spark. Next remove the flame arrestor. Work the throttle lever. Look to see if any gas squirts down in carb. There is a lot more. If this does not correct the problem you can call me at 1-800-949-2189
 

horndog

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
279
Re: hard starting Volvo Penta 260

if and when I get a chance to look at it I will pop off the distributer cap and take a look. Only if he will let me do so. <br /><br />It runs great once she starts up, but up to that point it looks grim trying to start it, thats how bad it is.
 

McKenzie

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
192
Re: hard starting Volvo Penta 260

How long does it take in between starting before it acts up? I'm thinking fuel, because you said once it goes, its fine and will start up again after that. Does it sound flooded or starved? I had a similar prob on my boat, leaky check valve. Up until I replaced it, when I would check under the engine hood for fumes, I would hit the accelerator pump arm a few times 'til I felt it was primed. Besides a check valve, bad hoses? Loose fittings and clamps? anything that could let air in or gas out of the system is where I'd start, then move on to the more complicated stuff like ignition and what not.
 

footbrake

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 17, 2012
Messages
95
Re: hard starting Volvo Penta 260

If it's a quadrajet carb it's probably leaking down after being shut off from the plugs on the base plate and then you have to turn it over till the fuel bowls fill again.
 
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