Hesitates to re-start after running fine

[texanaustinite]

1997 Regal 1700 LSR - 3.0L Volvo/Penta 4 cylinder -- SX sterndrive.

I bought the boat last August and it's last "tune-up" was 3 years ago. I did change the plugs and belts last November, but that's it. I did not winterize it as we have gone to the lake a couple times this "Winter" (we live in Austin). I just keep it in the garage and place a space heater under the engine on rare freezing nights, so far so good. I did add a fuel stabilizer, since we don't go out on it much.

I run the engine at least every two weeks in my driveway and it never fails to start up and run smoothly. However, when we're on the lake, it's a slightly different story. It'll start up just fine and run great. If we stop and shut off the engine after a good 15-30 minute run, it'll hesitate to start up again. I have to give it some throttle. Once it starts, it runs great. If we stop again for a few minutes, it'll hesitate to start.

I've run the engine for around 10-15 minutes in my driveway, shut it off, waited a while, then start it up again and it never hesitates. Could it just be that the lake water is just colder than the water from my hose and that's causing it to hesitate? Could it be that I don't run it at high RPM's in the driveway (up to 2000) as I do on the lake (up to 3500 somtimes higher and for longer periods). Could it be that it's just not under load on the driveway and it needs the carb to be looked at?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

check to make sure the choke is opening and closing correctly

 

[achris]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

1997 Regal 1700 LSR - 3.0L Volvo/Penta 4 cylinder -- SX sterndrive.

...... it's last "tune-up" was 3 years ago. ......

That's your clue. Start with an oil change, new filters (oil and fuel) and check the timing (if it has points, then change them and the condenser too) and carb setup.

Chris.........

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

its not uncommon on that engine.
double check all your choke linkages and settings, check the air fuel mix and adjust as nessasary.
after running 30 min under load the manifold can get quite warm and at shutdown fuel vapors can percolate and create a very rich fuel mix in the intake. in extreme cases you can remove the flame arrestor and actually see the vapors after shut down.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Thank you all for your responses. So basically... I need a tune-up.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

It's a Volvo, so no points and condenser, it's a Delco EST distributor. You need to put it in base timing mode to set the timing. But it shouldn't have moved if you didn't change it.
You may need a cap and rotor to go along with your spark plugs.
Do you have a water seperating fuel filter on your boat? It's not standard on the 3.0L engines. There are filters in the fuel pump and carb that may be your problem. Or just a combination of things changing over the past 10 years.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Couple of things to look at:

1) Possible vapor lock. Let the engine run at low RPMs / idle for a little while after running it hard. Then shut it down.

2) Carb linkage not set correctly and the choke is closing. I'm not sure if your set up is mechanical or electrical, but the butterfly should be mostly open at normal operating temps. If the engine is warm and the butterfly is colsed, it's choking itself out.

3) Possibly a missing / malfunctioning one way valve in the fuel line (if equipped). This would allow fuel to drain back into the tank instead of staying in the line.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Hesitates to re-start

Describe "Hesitates to re-start", does it crank over fine and just doesn't even try to start, or does it start to crank (turn over) and stop. Like something is keeping the crankshaft from turning.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Don S, It does not have a water seperating filter... just looked.

The engine will turn, but does not come on. Like an old car trying to start on a cold morning. Once it does fire up, it runs just fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Before we go too far with engine problems, have you ever operated a carburated engine before? Or have you always been around EFI cars. They DO NOT work the same. Trust me.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Before we go too far with engine problems, have you ever operated a carburated engine before? Or have you always been around EFI cars. They DO NOT work the same. Trust me.

Oh yeah, I've been around them. Grandparents' cars and my parents' cars. I've heard and felt many of them trying to start.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

This is kinda what it sounds like when it's trying to start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6sEhbJjNA8&feature=related

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Could be you have an electric choke that is set too tight. This would choke the engine after being shut off for a short time when it really needs more air.
Mercs specs always seem way too tight to me. I just let them set overnight, then adjust the choke to where it JUST closes when adjusting the choke coil. At times and on some engines that's still a bit tight. Especially when warm and in warm climates.

3) Possibly a missing / malfunctioning one way valve in the fuel line (if equipped). This would allow fuel to drain back into the tank instead of staying in the line.

One note about that comment. It's an anti- siphon valve ONLY. Has nothing whatsoever to do with stopping fuel draining back into the tank. If that is happening, then your fuel pump is toast.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Just listened to the video, could be choke, carb, tuneup, you name it.
Do all the preventive and basic maintenance (including full tuneup and fuel filters) along with a compression check and I would bet it will work fine.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

I'll do just that. Thanks Don. Thanks everyone.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Assuming you have a model LK which is the 1997 engine package in your 97 boat, you might as well get the OEM manuals if you plan on working on it yourself.
http://www.volvopentastore.com/1997...*****.197568856--store_id.366--view_id.366366

 

[timstiles]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

My boat has the same problem. Hot re-starts always require putting it in neutral and operating the throttle to get her to start. Once it starts it runs and idles fine. This basically makes the boat undriveable for anyone other than me.

I have a Chevy 350 with a OMC 800 in my 1985 Galaxy. The carb is a rebuilt Rochester Quadrajet with mechanical choke. Does anyone think upgrading to an electric choke would help ?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

Hey, me too! 1989 4.3 Merc in a 18' Sea Ray and it does the same thing and seems like a common problem after seeing this discussed before. Starts right up when cold but when warmed up won't restart unless I open the trottle completely and back it down immediately when it fires which I hate doing. It continues to be a problem even after a tune up and carb rebuild (2 bbl Mercarb). Gonna check for the closing choke, sounds like a good place to start.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

look folks its carburated, not EFI. just like grandpas 67 fairlane or grannys 69 impala.
it actually requires INPUTS from the operator to work correctly. the procedure is in the operators manual.
some throttle on hot restarts, as well as cold starts, is normal on carbed motors except those equipped with the TKS system.
EFI only requires the key to be turned.
you have to remember that most marine stuff is in an engine box, tends to make the fuel in the bowl vaporize, then it settles in the intake, with no throttle opening to allow more air the mixture can make hot restarts with no throttle very difficult.
is it to hard to simply operate the throttle just like granny and grandpa always did ?

 

[Coors]

Re: Hesitates to re-start after running fine

look folks its carburated, not EFI. just like grandpas 67 fairlane or grannys 69 impala.
it actually requires INPUTS from the operator to work correctly. the procedure is in the operators manual.
some throttle on hot restarts, as well as cold starts, is normal on carbed motors except those equipped with the TKS system.
EFI only requires the key to be turned.
you have to remember that most marine stuff is in an engine box, tends to make the fuel in the bowl vaporize, then it settles in the intake, with no throttle opening to allow more air the mixture can make hot restarts with no throttle very difficult.
is it to hard to simply operate the throttle just like granny and grandpa always did ?

Lol , are us old farts the only ones that remember to pump the gas pedal?
and twice on a cold day; and always be tinkering with the choke?