Starting a carb'd engine

[John_S]

No need to pump it on a hot start. If that doesn't cure it, you might be getting some gas spillage into intake manifold after shutdown from heat perculation or a faulty carb. Assuming you have a warm-up switch the easiest way to start with that condition, is to open the throttle while cranking, and leave it there until engine catches, and then immediatly throttle back.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

Don't pump it on a hot/warm start....
If you have trouble starting with no throttle at all, then you start at WOT, just be ready to back it down when it catches......JK

 

[JLowe59]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

Hello,
I hope your problem is fixed, but in case it still is giving you trouble, another thing that would cause trouble is starting it hot with the choke closed. When the engine is warm or hot the choke should be open when trying to start. I would look for that first (It is the simplest to rule out)
Hope it helps good luck
Jim

 

[Olds Eddie]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

This sounds like a coil going bad to me. Did you do the spark-fuel/ test when this happened. Always pull a plug wire and insert a screwdriver into plug boot and hold near a ground. Have someone turn the motor over to see if you are getting a spark. If so take the flame arrestor off and look down the carb while someone pumps the throttle to see if the accelerator pump jets are squirting fuel. A bad coil will loose spark after running and then work again after it cools down.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

As above, don't pump the throttle for a "warm start", meaning within several hours of running. It's in my Volvo manual, Mercruiser should be the same.

 

[harveje]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

This sounds like a coil going bad to me. Did you do the spark-fuel/ test when this happened. Always pull a plug wire and insert a screwdriver into plug boot and hold near a ground. Have someone turn the motor over to see if you are getting a spark. If so take the flame arrestor off and look down the carb while someone pumps the throttle to see if the accelerator pump jets are squirting fuel. A bad coil will loose spark after running and then work again after it cools down.

 

[harveje]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

This sounds like a coil going bad to me. Did you do the spark-fuel/ test when this happened. Always pull a plug wire and insert a screwdriver into plug boot and hold near a ground. Have someone turn the motor over to see if you are getting a spark. If so take the flame arrestor off and look down the carb while someone pumps the throttle to see if the accelerator pump jets are squirting fuel. A bad coil will loose spark after running and then work again after it cools down.

Always do these seperatly and in a well vented area, make sure you have no leaks and open the engine compartment up before hand to air out. If you smell fumes or see vapors DO NOT do the spark test. and don't do the test close to or on the carb body. Those fumes will get you every time....

 

[Road Head]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

Thanks for the replies - it was me that originally posted, I had not realized I wasnt logged in.

We took it out last night. It cold started up great. Ran it around for about an hour, and came back to the dock. Shut it off and tied it up. We let it sit a couple minutes, then started it (with the throttle straight up in neutral, no pumping, nothing) and it fired right up. I will do more testing this weekend, but it started beautifully.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Starting a carb'd engine

NEVER DO THIS ON THE WATER! Trailer and well vented, but use PROPER test equipment. The screwdriver trick can blow you to pieces.
"Always pull a plug wire and insert a screwdriver into plug boot and hold near a ground. Have someone turn the motor over to see if you are getting a spark. If so take the flame arrestor off and look down the carb while someone pumps the throttle to see if the accelerator pump jets are squirting fuel. A bad coil will loose spark after running and then work again after it cools down."
Besides, its just perked gas...kick the switch and push the throttle up slowly if it don't fire right up. NO pumping. I need (350 too/Edelbrock) 4 good squirts cold, and 1/2 open on warm start, and still takes a few cranks to get going. Your fine....nature of the beast.