hard start

[mgs88]

Hello

I have a mercruiser alpha 1 4.3 litre engine that is hard to start on a cold start. After it is ran a while it starts fine. sometimes i can start it at home and take it to the lake, about a 45min drive, and when i launch it in the water I about run the battery down trying to start it.
any advise would be appreciated.

Gary

 

[maxxman04]

Re: hard start

first question, have you checked anything yet? plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel pressure, carb issues,

 

[towman818181]

Re: hard start

is your choke electric are you pumping the throttle before you try yo start and as said above have you checked anything out and how long have you had it and how long have you had this problem

 

[dubs283]

Re: hard start

first off, how do you start your engine. do you hop in the captains seat and turn the key, or are there other steps you take before attempting to start the engine?

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

i have had it worked on about 2 weeks ago. they adjusted the choke, replaced the cap and I think the rotor. it idles real rough for about 2 or 3 min and then runs fine. If I kill the motor before it idles fine, I have a hard time starting it again.

 

[maxxman04]

Re: hard start

mgs88, welcome to the iboats.com forums. bit of advice. by all means ask questions, provide answers, opinions where you can. when you post tho, find out as much info as you can. year of boat, year of motor, serial number of motor if you can, a detailed description of problem, symptoms, and then let us know what you have already checked or done. this way we don't provide answers you've already thought of. if you haven't checked anything, start with the basics. alot of issues can be solved with a bit of maintenance. the more info you can provide us with, the better we can help. again, welcome aboard.

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

I have tried starting it with and with out pumping the throttle. It doesn't seem to make any difference

 

[PitchFork]

Re: hard start

I am going to suggest download manual for it. Go through the choke adjustments to make sure they are correct. When I first bought my used 1994 boat the choke was wide open and I had to pump it 7 or 8 times and then sometimes I would have to pour gas down the primaries. Once I adjusted my choke to manual specs all I do now is pump the throttle a few times and it starts and warms up within 3 minutes to 140?. If it does stall after starting it now starts fairly easy. Other things to check Anit-Siphon valve on fuel tank, spark plugs right color, plug wires on tight and in right order, good gas, clean filters, as you see the list can be endless you need to explain the boat and the problem in great detail.

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

thank you for the info. the boat is a 1988 Smokercraft. it has a 4.3 litre mercruiser engine. i have had the carb worked on a couple of years ago.
just last summer, I could not start it when it was hot. the marina replaced the cap and rotor. and the water pump. they said the engine was running hot.
i don't have any trouble starting it after it has been ran a while. i used to shut it off when someone was getting into the boat after tubing, and would have a hard time starting it back up. The marina seemed to fix that problem, now I have a hard time starting it when it sets for a while

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

where can i get a manual for it

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

they are suppose to be looking at it this week. they worked on the same problem 3 weeks ago. i called them and told them where the boat was and i paid to fix it once and i am not paying for this one.

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

i am going to purchase a manual on the 1988 sterndrive. maybe i can adjust it myself.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: hard start

dont adjust to far closed it needs air unless you plan on driving in cold weather.

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

i noticed there is a pointed brass adjustment screw in the front of the carberator. i turned it while the motor was running and the idle seemed to be better.

 

[mgs88]

Re: hard start

the marina didn't have time to get to it. I am going to take it to Cumberland lake this weekend. i would like to adust the choke myself before i leave