Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

[Kevinsheehy]

So I just bought a boat and realized that when I go to start it for the first time for a cold start I have to pump the throttle a couple of times to get gas into the system and then it starts up, needs a little gas to idol for a couple seconds then it runs fine. Then anytime I restart it after that its fine. Is this normal like a choke thing or is this something I should look into more.

It is a 1984 19' Bayliner is a Volvo Penta I/O engine.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

sounds normal to me - but I only play with outboards

Wonder if those things have auto chokes

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

thats perfectly normal....the first full stroke of the throttle is actually setting the choke plate in the carburator so if you didnt work the throttle 1 or twice its not choked and probably wont start.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

The exact starting procedure will vary from boat to boat. Most will start better once they are warmed up. It sounds like you have yours figured out, so stick with that.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Well that is good news, as a person who has never dealt much with boats and just bought one I have a feeling there are going to be alot of questions like this coming in the future.

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

That is exactly how I do it on a 16 year old boat. Pump the throttle a couple few times lower trim completely down and crank it it starts within 2 seconds. Hold 2K RPMs until temp comes up to 140? and then back off trailer.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Well I might make this another post but based on that response it brought up another question I had, With the boat on the trailor and starting the engine it it is too low to the ground for me to fully tilt lower the engine is it an issue starting it either way.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Well I might make this another post but based on that response it brought up another question I had, With the boat on the trailor and starting the engine it it is too low to the ground for me to fully tilt lower the engine is it an issue starting it either way.

Are you talking about in the water or on the driveway? In either event you can start the motor in any position - as long as water is being provided to the sterndrive either via muffs or a body of water.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

I am talking about starting it out of water using muffs with the water connection

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

I'm not 100% sure but I believe you should have your drive down as far as possible when running even if its not in gear...I think the U-joint is still spinning when in neutral and if you are trimmed all the way up the angle puts alot of stress on it.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Well last night I put it as far down as I could with the street below but not sure what I should do if its not down far enough.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

As long as you have good flow from the muffs you can start it with the outdrive in any position. Just don't put it in gear unless it is below the "trailer position". And if you put it in gear on land (not a great ideda)- make sure the prop isn't going to hit the pavement.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

And always run the blowers prior to starting the motor to extract any gas fumes in the engine compatment prior to starting things up just incase you were unaware.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Someone told me to insert my head into the engine compartment and inhale all of the gas fumes before starting the engine, then if it starts poorly or makes a unsettling noise the thought of the cost to fix it won't bother me much. Seems like a win win.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

Now if I can convince my girl friend to do that when she is helping me maybe it won't bother her as much?

 

[mia9516]

Re: Starting Boat (Might be a dumb Question)

So I just bought a boat and realized that when I go to start it for the first time for a cold start I have to pump the throttle a couple of times to get gas into the system and then it starts up, needs a little gas to idol for a couple seconds then it runs fine. Then anytime I restart it after that its fine. Is this normal like a choke thing or is this something I should look into more.

It is a 1984 19' Bayliner is a Volvo Penta I/O engine.

I just bought an '88 Cobalt 192 Condurre with a 4.3L Mercruiser I/O about a month ago. In the driveway, she starts up with no priming, the first time, every time. In the water though it's a whole different story. When I cut the engine after she's been running for a while I have to push the throttle all the way forward. Is this common for a carburated engine? Any help is greatly appreciated.~Milton