Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

[devans.b7989]

my 305 Chev is always hard starting when left for a few days, well maintained, Rochester carb. Fires instantly when warmed up.
I'm considering adding a small in line electric Carter fuel pump to expedite the fuel delivery when starting cold.
Appreciate comments as to whether this is worthwhile.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

explain your startup cold procedure please and check that the choke is working correctly.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

Welcome to iboats
explain your startup cold procedure please and check that the choke is working correctly
I would pump it twice when cold & set the throttle @ 1/4 before starting......
If that doesn't help, then check the choke as suggested above.......
You should not need an fuel extra pump if everything else is working properly, there should be plenty of fuel still in the bowl after just a few days.....
With the flame arrestor removed you should see/hear a jet of gas when the throttle is pumped.........JK

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

Welcome to iboats
explain your startup cold procedure please and check that the choke is working correctly
I would pump it twice when cold & set the throttle @ 1/4 before starting......
If that doesn't help, then check the choke as suggested above.......
You should not need an fuel extra pump if everything else is working properly, there should be plenty of fuel still in the bowl after just a few days.....
With the flame arrestor removed you should see/hear a jet of gas when the throttle is pumped.........JK

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

Avoid that stupid

button.

Scroll down below the last post and use the instant reply box. It works better than just repeating what someone says earlier.

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

thank you JK, I have been pumping the gas 3 to 4 times and then advancing the throttle as you suggest.
I have done the engine box up, flame arrestor removed, and can hear the gas as the throttle is pumped.
After cranking with no success I normally wait 3 to 5 minutes and then it will normally fire up. Worst case I give it a shot of starting fluid. (I try to avoid this).
My mechanic put a shim under the carburetor as one of his attempts to improve cold starts. I must admit he has more success than I do with the cold starts.
I will try your specific pump twice approach and advance 1/4 and will report back.
The Carter in line electric pump (#EP90) is the recommendation I get from Hyatt Marine, they claim they have great success with this approach. My mechanic says he has tried it with no noticeable benefit. I just know that I am tired of all the cranking particularly when trying to make a quiet getaway early morning from the marina.

 

[cnccustom]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

My 305 chevy is the same way,Hard to start Cold but runs great after its warmed up.....I just give it a shot of starting fluid and she starts right up....The guy I got my boat from said it did this before and after carb rebuild also my buddies 305 is the same way....they both say it takes a little while for the manual fuel pump to get gas up to the carb.......

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

thanks CNC, I know I am not the only one. I know Mercruiser now offers a quick start device for newer models but not applicable to the older 305, it's a pain to do the starter fluid esp when my boat is maintained to the highest standards and runs and starts so well, except when it has been left alone for a few days.
Will quiz the Hyatt rep further when at the Seattle Boat Show later in the month. I am tempted to add the electic in line pump, they switch it independently and just run it for a minute at startup so it sounds logical.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

You could be a Redneck if: .............. (fill in the blank)

Instead of "Backyard Engineering" an electric pump into the sytem like some kid without a clue, why don't you find out what the real problem is.
After working on marine engines for years I can't HEAR if an accelerator pump is working properly or not. I actually have to look. I also have to use dwell meters, timing lights, pressure gauges, vacuum gauges and all sorts of stuff to find the problem instead of just half azzing something together.
It's a Chevy engine, but it's not a Chevy car. It's a boat. Treat it like one.

 

[cnccustom]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

thanks CNC, I know I am not the only one. I know Mercruiser now offers a quick start device for newer models but not applicable to the older 305, it's a pain to do the starter fluid esp when my boat is maintained to the highest standards and runs and starts so well, except when it has been left alone for a few days.
Will quiz the Hyatt rep further when at the Seattle Boat Show later in the month. I am tempted to add the electic in line pump, they switch it independently and just run it for a minute at startup so it sounds logical.

Mine is actually a volvo penta 305......I only have to do this on 1st startup of the day then it fine all day.....

let me know what you find out and I will do the same

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

Hi Don S., have had Richard Heinrichs, my marine mechanic do all that you suggested. It may be that I need a new mechanic but my posting is because of the Hyatt marine service guys saying the electric inline pump is the way to go.This is my 3rd 305, have a 22' Lynnwood that I had custom built in 74. Frankly the cold starting only became an issue since new cylinder heads were installed a couple of years ago. I can hear fuel squirting when I pump the throttle (with the engine box up and flame arrestor off). Boat may be the best maintained at the marina but I have not been able to solve the cold start issue.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

I had the same exact problem and it turned out to be my accelerator pump.

Do this as a test...next time you try to do a cold start, first pour a couple of ounces of gasoline down the throat of the carb. If it starts, your accelerator pump is probably the culprit.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

An engine does not rely on the fuel pump to start.It needs fuel in the carb to start.

So if adding an electric fuel pump helps,why not figure out why there is no fuel in the carb ?

DHP

 

[180shabah]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

DHP hit it on the head. It sounds like there is no gas in the carb. If there is no gas, you can pumo the throttle 100 times and it won't help, but that doesn't mean that the accelerator pump is bad. Don't forget, he states that it runs fine after it is first started. If the accelerator pump was bad, he would have some real problems hesitating and stumbling as he tried to get above idle speed.
My boat had the exact same symptoms(except I have an electric pump) after sitting, even just overnight, the fuel bowl was empty. I was able to half azz a momentary switch that allowed me to run the pump and prime the fuel system before I hit the starter. The engine fired imediately this way, and allowed me to finish the season uninterrupted. This winter I will be going through the entire thing from tank(I know this won't be pretty) to carb.
Adding an electric pump to his system will probably solve his issue, but I agree with DonS, it hasn't addressed the problem.

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

thanks guys, really appreciate your input, my 1st experience with an internet forum. My mechanic is having another go at it, will report back any progress made. Don

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

You mention your carb is a Rochester - I assume it is a Quadrajet? (A four barrel). If memory serves me correctly, the qjets were known to have a problem with fuel leaking from the bowl after sitting awhile. I believe there are plugs in the bottom of the fuel bowl that need to be epoxied. Otherwise the fuel leaks out of the fuel bowl into the manifold. Have your mechanic check that.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

The manual fuel pump has an anti siphon valve in it. Replace the pump and it should solve the problem.

 

[devans.b7989]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

thank you Fishermark, this makes a lot of sense to me.
Walt, appreciate your comment, the fuel pump was replaced last year. The original one dated from 1974 and I replaced it purely as preventative maintenance. Took the old one apart and it looked like it would last another 30 years. Possibly the new pump has issues, will check it with my mechanic.

 

[cnccustom]

Re: Mercruiser 228 hard starting - add in line fuel pump?

Devans....did you find out anything......I tried another fuel pump and accelerater pump....same problem...

needed spares anyway.

Have a feeling fishermark hit it on the head.....