Starting my engine??

[Matty1000]

Hi all, first I want to say how much I've enjoyed reading the posts here, and how much I've learned in the few weeks I've been reading. Now, I'm COMPLETELY new to boating. Just bought a 24' Cruisers Aria single 5.7 Mercruiser I/O. I had it surveyed and tuned up. Went ou with a few experienced friends to show me the ropes and get me used to the boat, so I know i runs well. However, I went to the marina today for my first solo outing, and totally drained the batteries cranking the motor, couldn't get her started. Could someone help me out with a step-by-step on starting procedures? Ex: Batt. switch on 1 or 2?, how much gas to give before cranking?, leave at idle or give it gas while cranking?<br />Any help is MUCH appreciated. Thanks all.<br /> Matt

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Starting my engine??

Assuming it is a carb equipped engine, (not fuel injected), advance the throttle lever a time or two to set the choke and give it a squirt of fuel. (Different shifters will have a different way of activating the throttle by itself - without going into gear. I push in a button on the bottom of my shift lever on my boat). I leave the throttle slightly advanced until it starts, then I throttle it back down. You might need to check and see if your choke is closing properly.<br /><br />So far as the batt switch is concerned, see what kind of batteries you have. Often one is for starting and one is a deep cycle. Either will work, but the common thing is to use the deep cycle for your electronics when the engine isn'trunning, and the "regular" battery to start the engine.

 

[trog100]

Re: Starting my engine??

if its a carb engine give it some gas/throttle.. if the choke works just push the throttle fully forward once bring it back to about half way and crank the engine over.. it should fire..<br /><br />try to avoid flooding it.. too much throttle pumping or cranking over with no throttle will flood it.. once flooded u can crank all day and it wont go.. i think this is what u have done..<br /><br />i am assuming the boat dosnt have problems.. just starting technique required and un-familiarity with carb engines..<br /><br />trog100

 

[aggiedave98]

Re: Starting my engine??

once it's warmed up, is it ok to just turn the key to start it? mine seems to start up fine that way. I'm assuming if it starts right up, there's nothing wrong with that. I've got a Redline Weber carb which allows me to do that. My old carb wouldn't start even when warm most of the time unless I gave it some throttle.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Starting my engine??

As you get to know your boat, you will get to know it's "personality". Of course, we are only talking about carburated boats here (pumping the throttle on an EFI is useless). When the engine is cold, you may only have to pump the throttle once and set just above idle....and she'll fire right up. A larger engine or one with long runners in the intake manifold may require two or three "squirts" of the throttle to get her going.<br />Or, if you are lucky, you may not need any "pumps" of the throttle to get it going. Find what works for your boat to get her to start with minimum cranking. You should not have to try the key several times or crank untill the battery is dead.....that means other problems.

 

[Matty1000]

Re: Starting my engine??

Thanx for all the input folks. I'm gonna try it out again today. I think trog was right, and I flooded it. Ill try again today (with a charger with me, of course) and let you all know what happens.