Having a hard time starting

[bryanj23]

I have a 1989 Maxum 1750 with a Mercruiser 3.0L. Last year it had a hard time starting, so this year I checked the dwell and adjusted the timing per the repair manual specs. I got it to start easily while on the muffs at home but when I take it to the lake it has to crank and crank and crank before it will fire. Once it does start it runs great! It is nice and smooth, not lagging at all, no mis-fires. My only issue is in starting. Primarily cold starts, but occasionally it has trouble after it has been running as well. My spark plugs show no fouling, it does seem to be getting gas. I'm just not quite sure where to go from here. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I have been scouring the web and can't come up with anything that sounds related to this.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Are you pumping the throttle 2 or 3 times before starting and are you in "throttle only " position slightly advanced

 

[thumpar]

On my 2.5l it took me a little while to learn to start it up quick. I would push the throttle forward then back and then use throttle only and put it just a tick past the normal shift engagement. It would start right up doing that.

 

[bryanj23]

Yes, I'm following the start procedures in the manual. It is carbureted, so I put in neutral, run the throttle up a time or two, return to 1/4-1/2 throttle and turn the key. It just cranks away. Once in a while it sounds like it will go and just dies immediately. Usually, once it starts it is fine but if I stop it for say a half hour and go to start it we go through the same thing. Last night I put new plugs in and took the flame arrester off and scrubbed that clean but it didn't dry in time for me to try to start it up again. I tried to pull the fuel filter in the carb, but the fittings were pretty stuck and I didn't have time to mess with it.

 

[bryanj23]

Tonight, after work, I tested my new battery and found that it read ~12.5 standing and 10.24 volts while cranking. What should the voltage be while cranking? Did I get a weak battery?

 

[bryanj23]

Okay, I've done new spark plugs (.035 gap) and exchanged the battery for a new one. It still just continues to crank and crank. Once in a while it fires like it is going to go, then just chugs a couple times and stalls, then it goes back to just cranking. The choke seems to be functioning correctly. Could this be carburetor related then? What things should I look for? Or is it better to just rebuild it while it is out and apart?

 

[Chobes]

Any updates on your issue? i am having the same problem with my 3.0L. Runs fine in the beginning of the day. Stop after tubing the kids, let sit for half hour to an hour and it is really hard to start back up. actually carry a little water bottle with some gas just incase i have to dump a little down the carb. That gets it fired.

 

[alldodge]

Yes, I'm following the start procedures in the manual. It is carbureted, so I put in neutral, run the throttle up a time or two, return to 1/4-1/2 throttle and turn the key. It just cranks away. Once in a while it sounds like it will go and just dies immediately. Usually, once it starts it is fine but if I stop it for say a half hour and go to start it we go through the same thing. Last night I put new plugs in and took the flame arrester off and scrubbed that clean but it didn't dry in time for me to try to start it up again. I tried to pull the fuel filter in the carb, but the fittings were pretty stuck and I didn't have time to mess with it.

Okay, I've done new spark plugs (.035 gap) and exchanged the battery for a new one. It still just continues to crank and crank. Once in a while it fires like it is going to go, then just chugs a couple times and stalls, then it goes back to just cranking. The choke seems to be functioning correctly. Could this be carburetor related then? What things should I look for? Or is it better to just rebuild it while it is out and apart?

Sure sounds like a fuel issue. My cerebrated Rinker is cold natured after sitting for a while but it is because the fuel bowl is dry from sitting. If it's been sitting for a while, I pump once to set the choke then crank for 5-10 seconds to pump some fuel up. I then pump a couple and try to start. If it doesn't hit in the first few seconds, release key and give a couple more pumps of the throttle. Need to get fuel down the crab and into the intake before she will fire.

Need to check choke adjustment first. With the engine cold in the morning, loosen the screws slightly on the choke and turn it until the choke plate closes, then tighten screws. You should have the choke plate just closed and leaving about 1/8 inch gap at the top. If my procedure above will not fire it up in the morning when cold, then pull the flame arrestor off. Once off have someone pump the throttle and see if fuel is squirting in.

Not starting when hot, need to look down the carb and see if you see fuel, it may be real wet. If it is wet (can see fuel) then open throttle half way and crank.

Let us know what you find