1987 Mercruiser 260 Hard Start when Hot

[Tobalt]

Just purchased a 1987 Cobalt with Mercruiser 260, runs beautifully once started!!

**Cold starts are consistently a little tough, but does start after a couple pumps and (hopeful prayers)

** After running to operating temp for a while (1/2 hr-1 hr) and then shut down to fish for a while, there's always such an effort to restart. Not sure if its a fuel issue or spark issue ??

** Also, there a consistent "raw gas" smell throughout boat, no real bad, but its there, could this be related to Hard Start Problem ??

Any Ideas ??

 

[achris]

You've just bought a boat, so do a FULL service and get a baseline for your maintenance records. Include a compression test, new spark plugs, leads, cap, and rotor. Fuel and oil filter and oil. Also pull the drive, check the bellows, gimbal bearing, unis and the engine alignment. Service the water pump and fill the drive with high performance gear lube.

Given the age, once those things are done, and you know the engines running ok, pull the carb and give it a strip, clean and service.

Also, pull the elbows off and check them.

Chris....

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

the smell of raw gas is concerning.

check the clear hose from the fuel pump to the carb. if there is fuel in there, you need a new fuel pump

find the source of your fuel leak prior to using the boat

as Chris pointed out. with any new to you boat, you need to do ALL the maintenance.

 

[dollar7499]

I had a 4.3l with this exact issue. Had to do with leaking by and flooding while it sits, when it sits long enough to cool down it evaporates away. A soak in carb dip and rebuild kit and I never had the issue again.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... Sounds like typical symptoms of a Quadra-jet carb in need of a rebuild,......

Examinin' the Contents of the fuel filter will give ya an idea of how much crap has been pumped to the carb,.....

'n as noted, a full service, just to see exactly what ya got,......

 

[brodie123]

If it's hard to turn over, as in cranks slowly, especially when hot, check your timing and make sure it's not advanced too far.

 

[achris]

If it's hard to turn over, as in cranks slowly, especially when hot, check your timing and make sure it's not advanced too far.

Yep, that would be part of doing a service.