Volvo Penta 4.3GL PBYC Hard to cold start

[whitebunnyflock]

got alot of maintenance done on the leg thanks to you guys, really appreciate all the help

Now another problem. Had a heck of a time getting it to start yesterday when i was running through fuel stabilizer and heating my motor oil. I had removed the flame arrestor in order to fog it. I didn't really see gas coming down into the carb and so i poured some fuel directly down into the throttle body. That did not get it going. It seemed like it wanted to go and would "run" so long as i held the key in the starting position. Finally we held down the flap that you see in the throttle body when you first remove the flame arrestor and it fired right up. I noticed the flap is controlled by some sort of electronic device and i wonder if there is a problem with that in particular?

The other thing that could be a problem is that this boat appears to have an inline fuel filter as well as a filter that mounts under the fuel pump. I have replaced the one that mounts under the fuel pump but can't seem to find any parts online for the inline fuel filter.

It had this problem towards the end of the boating season but always seemed to be able to get it running eventually. Also once it is warmed up there is no problem starting and running.

Any help you guys provide is much appreciated. It is now winterized and so won't be running it until spring anyways but thought maybe there is something i could do this fall to figure the problem out.

 

[skydiveD30571]

The electronic device is the electric choke, which does control that butterfly plate. You'll notice when the engine is completely warm it'll be wide open, and when cold it'll be near closed.

Do you have your manual? It explains the procedure for a performing a cold engine start. Namely, you'll place your throttle in throttle-only mode (usually done via a button at the center of the point where the throttle arm meets the mounting plate) and push the throttle all the way forward, then bring it back a to about 1/4 (or 1/2, you may have to experiment) open throttle. Going all the way forward sets the choke to help start the engine and also gives a little shot of fuel into the carb. Some engines start better with a couple full-throttle pumps versus just one. Then start the engine and let it warm up a bit before returning the throttle to neutral idle. Some guys here can explain it better, but it's in the manuals. It's just the nature of carbureted engines.

 

[whitebunnyflock]

that makes perfect sense, i figured that was a button there but wasnt sure what it was for, i think i had tapped it a couple times this summer in the hopes that it would do.... somethign, thanks so much for the help! I dont have the manual for the boat unfortunately.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Sometime when you're sitting still and the engine is running, push that button in while you advance the throttle out of neutral. You'll notice it doesn't shift and now you can manipulate throttle only. Perfect for wanting to warm the engine up.

If you go to the link below, select Volvo Penta on the side, then scroll across you'll see several dark red "BY" manuals. These are the service manuals for your engine. They don't specifically address starting procedures, but have plenty of info on your engine/carb and how to fix just about anything. If you scroll back left you'll see the drive manuals in blue.
http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html

When I bought my boat I thought something was wrong and spent way too many hours and dollars trying to track it down. Turns out, I just wasn't starting the engine correctly. I feel better when other people don't make the same mistake. :facepalm:

 

[Scott Danforth]

remember, carbureted boats are old-school. when the motor is cold, give it 1-2 full strokes of the throttle. this sets the choke and primes the motor (just like a 1970 pickup truck). now with the throttle only button pressed, set the throttle at about 1/4. turn the key. as soon as the motor fires up, back off the throttle to 1500 RPM. keep it there for a few minutes, then you can return it to neutral/idle