Hard to start when warm..???

[4js]

1997 3.0 LX Merc.

Starts in 2 second cold...runs very good (idle's around 900 in the water in neutral, but am going to fix that before next trip out) but when the engine is warm, and I shut it off...it does not want to start. This has happened all 3 trips we've had her out. Today, we ran up the lake about a mile, shut it off, and then a 3 minutes later I tried to start it. It wouldn't start. After numerous attempts I think it may be flooded so i wait 15 minutes and try again. Wouldn't fire.
Wait 30 minutes, wouldn't fire.
I finally try a 3rd time and push the throttle lever down "hard" (I put a decent amount of pressure on lever) and it starts to fire, and started.


Does this sound like a cable adjustment issue? Maybe an electronic choke issue?

Any and all help is certainly appreciated. If it's a cable adjustment, I'll try that before taking it to the mechanic.

 

[4js]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Guess no one knows...? Figured someone would have an idea

 

[Dieter]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

When was the last time the carb was cleaned? You could check your plugs and wires could be losing spark after it gets hot. Does it die after you run it for a while ?

 

[4js]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

It does not die once it's running, runs great. After this last incident we ran the boat constantly up and down the lake for almost an hour. Spark plugs and wires are new.

I am not sure when the carb was cleaned last.

I think if it was a spark issue...that it would lose spark while running, which would make it sputter, or die altogether.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Ayuh,... It sounds like it's Flooding, which means the carb is leaking, which might be fixed by rebuildin' the carb...
If not,... Replace it...

 

[4js]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Bondo- I thought the same thing, but why would bearing down on the throttle make a difference in whether or not it starts? Could it be electronic choke? Maybe choke is closed which would make it hell to start when warm. ??

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Bondo- I thought the same thing, but why would bearing down on the throttle make a difference in whether or not it starts? Could it be electronic choke? Maybe choke is closed which would make it hell to start when warm. ??

Ayuh,... Standard operating procedure for starting a flooded motor is to open the throttle to Wot...

 

[CMattia]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

I have the same problem with my boat last season after putting on a brand new carb. I going back to carb shop this week to check it out, seems flooded to me but i will let the pros tell me.

 

[nailem]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

i have the same motor in the boat im selling. i have checked everything. timing, new plugs/wires/distributer, cleaned carb, ext. and best i can tell is it boils the fuel out when its hot. boat starts fine when cold but shut it down to pick up a wakeboarder and will not start unless you give it a ton of throttle. i did a bunch of reading on the 3.0 and this theory is as close as i can get to an answer. i may try advancing the timing just a bit to see if it helps and just let the new owner know. good luck.

 

[4js]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Hey Don S or Bondo or anyone that knows. I had the carb rebuilt yesterday and an going to take it out tomorrow. Mechanic says runs fine now. Can u tell me what I should do or look for to know if the rebuild was a success? Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Hey Don S or Bondo or anyone that knows. I had the carb rebuilt yesterday and an going to take it out tomorrow. Mechanic says runs fine now. Can u tell me what I should do or look for to know if the rebuild was a success? Thanks!

Ayuh,... It'll run, 'n start Right, instead of what it Was doin'....

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Ayuh,... It'll run, 'n start Right, instead of what it Was doin'....

:facepalm:

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Hey Don S or Bondo or anyone that knows. I had the carb rebuilt yesterday and an going to take it out tomorrow. Mechanic says runs fine now. Can u tell me what I should do or look for to know if the rebuild was a success? Thanks!

You also should check the idle speed. If it's still at 900 RPM, that's a bit too high for an Alpha

 

[4js]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Oh, one other thing. It was 390$ parts,labor, water test,etc. Sound high? I love in podunk, we don't pay typically pay city prices.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Hard to start when warm..???

Oh, one other thing. It was 390$ parts,labor, water test,etc. Sound high? I love in podunk, we don't pay typically pay city prices.

Probably not.

Flyingfish wants $200-300 for a carb.

add R&R, labor and time for the test. .......and it sounds ok!!