1991 Four Winns 170 Freedom 3.0 HO Issues

[ConnieMarie]

Well i am starting to really appreciate the headache of boat ownership. Earlier this year I was having difficulty starting the boat in the water replaced the distributor cap and seemed to somewhat fix the problem. I am still having problems starting the engine cold most of the time. Often times it will take a while and numerous attempts at WOT to start. Once it does start it may run for a short period of time and just cut out or it may stay running. Sometime when I get her going on the water right after initial start up she will run fine and just cut out suddenly while cruising. After I have gotten a good ride in approx. 10-15 minutes she will run fine the rest of the day. Recently, when I do get it started it squeals very loudly until I either raise rpms or the engine idles down. The squeals go away after the initial start up and drive, never to return until the next cold start up. I think the carb may need a rebuild it often smells rich, and I should mention when I have difficulty starting I will leave WOT to kind of air the engine out before trying to start again, this often helps. Any advise or areas to look would be greatly appreciated.
I have replaced wires, plugs, dist. cap, fuel filter. Tested solenoid and fuses. Is there a procedure to adjust the carb?

 

[alldodge]

Well i am starting to really appreciate the headache of boat ownership. Earlier this year I was having difficulty starting the boat in the water replaced the distributor cap and seemed to somewhat fix the problem. I am still having problems starting the engine cold most of the time. Often times it will take a while and numerous attempts at WOT to start. Once it does start it may run for a short period of time and just cut out or it may stay running. Sometime when I get her going on the water right after initial start up she will run fine and just cut out suddenly while cruising. After I have gotten a good ride in approx. 10-15 minutes she will run fine the rest of the day. Recently, when I do get it started it squeals very loudly until I either raise rpms or the engine idles down. The squeals go away after the initial start up and drive, never to return until the next cold start up. I think the carb may need a rebuild it often smells rich, and I should mention when I have difficulty starting I will leave WOT to kind of air the engine out before trying to start again, this often helps. Any advise or areas to look would be greatly appreciated.
I have replaced wires, plugs, dist. cap, fuel filter. Tested solenoid and fuses. Is there a procedure to adjust the carb?

Yes, rebuild the carb, the WOT starts is caused by to much fuel going in and it's flooding. Check the choke, when cold it will be closed except for about and 1/8 gap on top. Once started the opening should increase as the engine warms up. The initial idle adjustment should be to turn the adjustment screw all the way in until it bottoms. Do not bottom the screw hard, just lightly. Then back out the screw 1 1/2 turns and try starting it.

 

[ConnieMarie]

I really am not sure where to start for rebuilding the carb...im pretty well mechanically inclined but have never restored a carb before. The choke is normally around an 1/8 gap. I actually backed the adjustment screw out pretty far a couple weeks ago. Maybe I should try adjusting there again thats right around the time it started cutting out mid drive. And at idle low speed the engine sounds like it wants to stop. The starboard side adjustment screw I couldnt get to budge tough to get at with a screwdriver.

 

[ConnieMarie]

Off topic my trim down has been shot...I traced the relay but it appears I have a conjoined relay for both up and down and to replace is very expensive. Ive been utilizing the manual pressure relief valve. Doubt this has anything to do with start up but throwing it out there