How to start a boat with a carb!

[chiefalen]

There seems to be more and more questions here about starting a boat with a carb.
NOTE: These basic instructions are for a COLD engine only.

Very simple, put throttle in neutral, pump 2-3 times, leave throttle 1/3 of the way down and start the motor.

If it doesn't start in 3-4 seconds, let go of the key.

Repeat step one.

After 2-3 tries, stop cranking the motor, something is amiss.

Time after time people run down the battery or burn out the starter cranking a motor that is out of tune, water in the gas or have electrical problems.

Here is a old post. If it doesn't start.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=279525

Good luck.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

also, on the first pump of the throttle. make it a full stroke to wot. this activates the choke, if there is one......

on my 2gc. ya can actually hear the choke plate close on the first full stroke of the throttle....

 

[MikDee]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Not so fast Chief!, This is not how you start a 2cycle outboard! An inboard, or I/O yes maybe, because they usually have an automatic choke. Besides, this info is usually only for a cold engine, not one warmed up already, you'd be flooding it! On these when warm, usually you just pump the throttle once, then leave the throttle open a little, and crank it till it starts. If there's no response, after a reasonable time, pump the throttle again.

Those with a 2cycle outboard, know that with a cold engine, you have to pump up the primer ball till hard, then open the throttle a little, crank it with the choke on till it kicks, or sputters once, then choke off, then crank it again, and it should start right up. Once it's warmed up, No choking, no pumping the ball just open the throttle a little, and crank it till it starts. If no response after a reasonable time, use the choke sparingly.

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

MikDee

We can always HOPE that those with outboards would not be looking on the "Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo & other I/O & Inboard Engines & Outdrives" Forum for instructions/advice for starting their OUTBOARD motors But then..... Just my thoughts.....

 

[MikDee]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

MikDee

We can always HOPE that those with outboards would not be looking on the "Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo & other I/O & Inboard Engines & Outdrives" Forum for instructions/advice for starting their OUTBOARD motors But then..... Just my thoughts.....

Either way, it's flawed, wrong, even for an Inboard, or I/O, for starting when warm, as I pointed out so can't be a sticky.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

I start just like the OP has mentioned. When it's warm, it usually starts right away without pumping depending how long the engine has been off. If it doesn't, a couple pumps and off I go. Sometimes I pump even if it's warm, just to make sure it starts right away.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

guess i made the assumption that the op was referring to a stone cold i/o....

when my boats warmed up. i don't pump it period. though i do add just a shade of throttle to start out at about 900-1k rpms. after it starts right up. i'll let it run at 800 to 1k for 10 sec. or so then pull back to idle...... and off i go.....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

I honestly didn't think anyone with a out board motor would be looking at i/o threads on how to start the motor.

I was posting about a stone cold motor.

If after a run and the motor hot i leave it in neutral and try to start it also.

But i always let it idle for 3-5 minutes before i shut it off.

But if she cools down after about 15 minutes, and she don't start on the first or second try, i pump it a full pump and advance the throttle a little.

Don't hurt to give it a full first and second stone cold pump. Close down the choke.

 

[turborich]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

I never pump the throttle at all & my boat always fires up as soon as I turn the key. I am surprised every time. Must have a great carb or something?

On all of my older cars I had to pump the throttle at least once.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Or maybe a owner that takes care of his stuff.

I have a arrowglass couger with a 70 hp evinrude circa 1976. Only used in freshwater never kissed slatwater.

Looks new like yours.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

The original post is good sound general advice for a cold inboard or I/O carbureted motor. This procedure works for me on my boat - two or three pumps and fires right up. My dad's starts easier - only need one "pump".
Motors can be idiosynchratic, your mileage may vary.

 

[MikDee]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Motors can be idiosynchratic, your mileage may vary.

Now, That Sums it Up!

 

[mthieme]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Now, That Sums it Up!

Thanks. I have my moments albeit few and far between.
It's a shame that sometimes we need to either get so specific to avoid thread wars or need a disclaimer.

One would think that Cheifalen would be correct when he said the chances of someone with an OB is not going to look here on starting instructions.

yeesh

 

[chiefalen]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

It's the youngins who never started a carbed car who need the instruction.

Old grizzly geezers like me remember.

My dads car didn't have a fuel pump it was gravity fed.

When we were going up a large hill we would have to back up the hill.

Cars lined up turning around to back up the hill.

Have to see it to believe it.

The starter button was on the floor and you had to flip a switch to turn the juice on to the coil.

 

[Lou C]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

I can always tell the younguns that never had a car with a carb, they also have trouble with lawn mowers, blowers and weed wackers. I think that factor alone, has resulted in very few people around here doing their own lawn work, most have landscapers. I have a 21 year old mower that still works great! Fuel stabilizer and frequent oil changes is all it takes. I have some new Echo 2 stroke lawn equipment, they are so easy to start, and do not smoke much at all compared to the older stuff.
I happen to like carbs in certain applications, for boats they work fine as long as you maintain the fuel system. But FI would have real advantages in a stern drive application, the ability to idle low and smoothly right after start up, makes shifting into and out of gear a lot easier especially with dog clutch drives like the Alpha. My 4 bbl Rochester likes 3 pumps all the way forward, then set it at 1/3 or so open throttle and crank it over, ususlly if it's been run in the last 2 weeks it'll start the first time, if not it may take 2 or 3 tries. Funny thing is before we got this boat the last vehicle I had with a 4 bbl Rochester Q-jet was our 1975 Olds!

 

[mstng]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Regarding Carbs...

I am buying a chaparral 2003 with volvo penta 3.0 that has a currently undiagnosed problem It has 50 hours and has been run only once the last year.

The seller had it on consignment where 6 months ago the dealer stated that the engine cut off while running and they needed to replace the starter.....

Hmmmm..Boat sitting for 6 months..Bad gas? Gummed carb?...Burned starter with multiple attempts at starting? What do you guys think? Just my guess and first place to start..

My buddy, whom I am buying this from had not heard back from the dealer and we picked it up yesterday. We find a newly installed starter and no battery. Why no battery we don't know.

Plan for today is to drain gas tank? Or simply dilute with a new fill up with fresh gas? Install new battery. See if she cranks. If not, is there a way to spray some carb cleaner? Is that recommended? What would you folks do?

Where would I proceed next? Plans are for a change of fluids, plugs and impeller. The fluids and plugs seem simple enough and the impeller seems doable also on this engine. Am I kidding myself with this DIY Impeller?

New to this site and this engine. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

I realize this may still not fire up after new gas and battery. What would or should be my next step if this happens?

Thanks
Bill

Don't want to hijack this thread and if I am please forgive me and I'll resubmit.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Me i don't care but more people will see he thread with better mechanical minds than myself, who can help you.

If you start a new thread.

 

[Lou C]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

How old was the gas in the tank? Was it stabilized? If it's not starting first check for spark (be careful, closed engine compartment, make sure no gas fumes are present). If you have a spark, then pull off the water separating fuel filter and pour the gas into a glass jar and let it sit. See if you get a layer of water on the bottom after letting it sit for a while. If so you may want to try it with a new filter first, if you still have running troubles then next is to drain the gas tank and start with a clean tank and fresh gas. It's a 2003 so it shouldn't be so bad. Mine's an '88 with the original tank and I just change the filter each season. If you found that there is water in the tank make sure the gas cap gasket seals out rain. Check with Volvo to see if there are any technical service bulletins on this engine as far as starting/carb problems go.

 

[mstng]

Re: How to start a boat with a carb!

Thanks for the response..Both of you.

Just installed the battery and have power, the alarm though doesn't stop. I can't remember if it was supposed to before I crank the engine. I had a 5.0 merc in 2001.

Anyway I cranked and it turned over maybe a slight bit slower than I would have expected with a new battery, and it sounded as if I had no spark. How would you rec to check for that? The old spark plug method?

Fuel: It has 3/4 tank of fuel and I am almost certain it wasn't stabilized. Will do as you advide re the fuel filter. Any idea where the fuel tank drain is on this chaparal? Sorry for all the basic questions.