still a cold start problem

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
My 1978 6hp Chrysler still needs a squirt from a bottle to get started. After that she's fine. I put a new squeeze bulb on the gas line from the tank and added clamps to the motor's gas lines. The clamps helped keep the motor running because it was sucking air from somewhere. I was told the bulb on the engine may be bad, but this motor doesn't have one.
 

bgbass.1

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Messages
558
Re: still a cold start problem

sound like you need a carb. cleaning
 

RRitt

Captain
Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
3,319
Re: still a cold start problem

my engine would just about kill a battery before it would start. tank, bulb, pump, filter, starter, battery, and spark all in perfect condition. took carb off boat boat and used a pipe cleaner and carb spray to clean out jetways. Not a single new part or changed adjustment. Now it fires up on first lick everytime. Amazing what a big difference a little amount of 2-stroke oil residue can make.
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

Did you tear it all down to do that? I would hate to screw up the carb just learning. I have a SELOC.
 

Kajun37

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
348
Re: still a cold start problem

if you have a seloc you can clean your carbs...when you taking it apart try to lay everything out in order and just try to remember where it went..once you do one you'll see how easy it was...good luck
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

Okay, thanks. I did an iboat search and found a meegsonline video on carb cleaning. I have a pretty good idea on what not to mess with although the carb used was from a much larger motor.
 

RRitt

Captain
Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
3,319
Re: still a cold start problem

Did you tear it all down to do that? I would hate to screw up the carb just learning. I have a SELOC.

I did not take carbs apart. Simply removed them from boat leaving reed valves on engine. Dropped float bowl off bottom and ran a pipe cleaner through every passage. I had three carbs and had to buy three new carb gaskets at cost of 0.89 each. It turned out to be one of those things where I was expecting a difficult job but ended up with a quick and easy one.
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

Thanks R. I'll give it a try that way. I also got some great advice from other folks. Gee I love this site.
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: still a cold start problem

Let me ask a couple of obvious questions.
1. Do you choke the engine to start it? Is the choke linkage properly hooked up and does it work? Does the choke close all the way?
2. Do you advance the twist throttle to the start position? This mark wears off the handle with age. You need to advance the handle about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way.

Now the not so obvious. Is the carb pick up lever properly adjusted on the advance cam? There is a mark on the cam. When the carb arm is even with the mark, the throttle should just begin to open. If not, there should be an adjusting screw on the follower (carb lever).
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

Yes, I use the choke and it closes good. The start position is clearly marked but really revs up when the motor catches and starts. I will have to go out and look up and then at the carb pick up lever. I'll look at it in the morning and get back here when I find out.
Thanks.
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

Well, I decided to bring it in the house this morning at sunup. I took it apart. It was easier than I thought it would be. I'm almost done putting it back together. Then I'll put in my run barrel and see if it works.
 

ztim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
421
Re: still a cold start problem

I cranked it up several time and when I let it run for a while it quit after 6 minutes. It will want to start with a prime, but then dies. I can hear air from somewhere while priming the bulb. So I guess it is sucking air. Will go and tighten things down again.
 

Lone Duck

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
868
Re: still a cold start problem

1st check tank vent, must be open. If no vent loosen gas cap. 2nd check connection fuel line to tank, no air leak. Is there an anti siphon valve and is it clean and free? 3rd. does primer bulb get hard ? if not replace it. 4th check fuel plug in to engine. 5th check float level in carb. Is it clean and free?
 
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