omc cobra hard start

[chth]

I've been reading alot about hard starting cobras. Has anyone tried starting fluid? I read on the can it can be used on marine engines. I have the same problem with a 88 3.0 omc cobra. Just wondered sometimes I think I'm going to run the battery down.<br /><br />CHTH

 

[Lark40]

Re: omc cobra hard start

Depends on what the root cause is.<br /><br />My Cobra starting problems were caused by the ESA cable getting stuck and by the solenoid not passing 12 volts to the coil while cranking. Those were not fuel-related problems, and starting fluid would have had no effect.

 

[loadnet]

Re: omc cobra hard start

More info would be helpful...<br /><br />are you having problems starting it when it's 'cold' or 'hot' for instance..<br /><br />Is it hard to start everytime it's cold? or only once in awhile?<br /><br />Is your automatic choke working ok?<br /><br />Remove the air cleaner with the engine cold and push the throttle all the way open then back to neutral to see if the choke plate is shutting all the way.<br /><br />If not - replace the choke mechanisim or check to see what's causing it to not work correctly...<br /><br />Example: if it's an electric choke you can take off the 3 screws holding the houseing to the carb and see if the spring popped off the linkage inside.<br /><br />If it did, pop it back on carefully and screw the housing back on.<br /><br />If your choke is operated by a toggle switch that leads to an electric solenoid type choke, check to make sure you are getting juice at the solenoid when you hit the choke toggle switch.<br /><br />If your choke is vacum operated make sure the tubing to the intake is in good shape and the spring that is enclosed in the choke pull off unit is not broken.<br /><br />Do a vacum test to make sure you have enough vacum at idle, otherwise the engine will just stall out shortly after firing.<br /><br />My info here is focused on your not getting enough fuel when starting the engine cold.<br /><br />I'm no pro but maybe some of these items I've listed will get your thinking cap kicking in. <br /><br />PB

 

[chth]

Re: omc cobra hard start

Sorry I haven't responded to last post. My work load hasn't alowed me to get out on the boat. To answer the last post it always gave me problems when it was a cold engine. My son "who said he never has a problem" told me to push the throttle clear foreward three times then return it to the neutral position, then start the engine. It worked that time. The boat isn't where I can work on it when I have time but its almost time to bring it home then I can start to realy trouble shoot the problem.<br /><br />thughes

 

[Lou C]

Re: omc cobra hard start

I would not use starting fluid esp on an inboard engine, too much of a chance of a backfire and possible explosion!! <br />One thing to keep in mind is that with these marine engines, they do not set a fast idle like car engines with a carb do. You do have to open the throttle all the way 3 times, but then return to neutral, and advance the throttle to where you feel a little resistance,then just a bit more, that will give it enough fast idle to keep it running. I got this from my Four Winns owners manual, before that I had trouble with cold starting too. You want to make sure the choke closes all the way after opening the throttle on a cold engine, but also the choke vaccuum break must pull the choke plate open a fraction so it gets enough air to keep running. Make sure the ignition system (plugs, points, condenser, cap, rotor, wires, etc) are in good shape too. Be careful working around an inboard engine with the flame arrestor off, it can be dangerous!!