Engine will not start cold

[rdtenn]

I have a SeaRay 1997 model with a carburetor with very few hours on it. I cannot get the engine to start after it has set for one week or more without using starting fluid. I have had the carburetor cleaned and overhauled, I have had it tuned up to include new spark plugs etc. I use fuel conditioner at the end of the year and properly maintain the engine. I have also replaced the oil pressure switch as well as the fuel pump relay/switch. When I remove the air cleaner and move the throttle back and forth a couple of times gas does not spray into the carburetor. Once I use starting fluid and get it started it runs fine and will restart very easily as long it does not set for a couple of days. It seems the gas is evaporating out of the carburetor. When the carb was cleaned/overhauled with all the new parts in the kits the plugs at the bottom of the carburetor were resealed. Any info or suggestions you may have would be appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Are you using the proper starting procedures for a carbed engine?
Describe your process for starting a cold engine?

 

[rdtenn]

Re: Engine will not start cold

I am using correct cold start procedures for the carbureted boat engine. I put the throttle in neutral and move it back and forth a couple of times, with the air cleaner off you can hear the accelerator pump trying to pump but it is only pumping air. I can make it start with starting fluid, but have done this to many times and afraid of damaging the engine. No fuel is spraying. With the a/cleaner off the choke is closing all the way. The fuel pressure is also good. For some reason it seems there is no fuel in the carb. bowl for the accelerator pump to pump on initial startup. Is there a roll over valve or something that could be cutting fuel off. If so, why only when cold. Any help you can give will be appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine will not start cold

with the air cleaner off you can hear the accelerator pump trying to pump but it is only pumping air.

If you aren't pumping gas, then you need to find out why. What carb do you have? Was it rebuilt properly???? Are you sure?

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Engine will not start cold

I'm with Don on this one. It sounds like your fuel is leaking out of the bowl. Evaporation shouldn't be the issue. I'm in Arizona. The daily high temp in the summer is between 110 and 120. I have no such problems after 2-3 weeks of non-running.

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Could this be a symptom of a weak fuel pump? That it is letting fuel drain away from the carb between starts? I guess it would not explain an empty bowl or the accelerator pump not working...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Could this be a symptom of a weak fuel pump? That it is letting fuel drain away from the carb between starts? I guess it would not explain an empty bowl or the accelerator pump not working...

Nope,... it's a sign of the Carb leaking off....

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Nope,... it's a sign of the Carb leaking off....

I agree, my best guess would be a slow leak from the core / machine plugs. These should now be re-sealed with a kit that includes new plugs with O-rings.

Or, check this site out for more options.

http://www.mre-books.com/quadrajet/carbrebuild.html

The epoxy or jb-weld fix is never recommended to seal the original plugs. Even if it is stated in a book somewhere it is a cheap fix and the area around the plugs has to be properly prepared.

Best of luck

OFM

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First seek to understand, then seek to be understood.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Here is a source for these secondary well plugs and other Q-jet items.

http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/gesslerheadporting/ghp.nsf/822dcaaaa26c6da985256dd80023623d/4f069c2b796f01e3852574fd005bbefc!OpenDocument

OFM

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Somebody help me out here. What engine, what carb, SN of engine.
The only thing we know for sure is that it's a 1997 SeaRay. not even how long it is.
Who knows what's powering it. But if it's a 5.7 Mercruiser, it's not a Q-Jet, they used Webers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engine will not start cold

"when you jump to conclusions you believe in illusions and add to confusion"

I should add that one to my signature!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine will not start cold

"when you jump to conclusions you believe in illusions and add to confusion"

I should add that one to my signature!!

Ayuh,.... I assume you mean making Assumptions,..?? ,...I love it,... Do it.....
True words of Wisdom,....

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Engine will not start cold

I see you three wasted some disk space and did not shed any light on the type of carburetor. Not too wise.

It is a simple carburetor not Multidimensional string theory --- if it is a Weber that is a simple matter too.

I will wait for the OP to clear this up.

OFM

Now I have wasted some disk space too.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engine will not start cold

I will wait for the OP to clear this up.

You mean instead of guessing?



At least we supplied some humor to the situation!

 

[rdtenn]

Re: Engine will not start cold

It has a Rochester 2Barrel carburetor. I was in the car/truck repair business ofr over 45 years prior to retirment and I know what you are saying about the plugs leaking but when they leak you see some stains or whatever, right? When this carb was taken off and cleaned and overhauled no evidence of leaking plugs even though my technician did reseal as insurance with JB weld. The original issue of not starting cold was the reason we removed the carburetor and had it overhauled.

What do you all think about installing a "momentary" swith push button type wired into the fuel pump so it can be pushed and the fuel pump will pump gas to the bowl so it will start? Does this make any sense or is it dangerous. Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks,
RDTENN

I see you three wasted some disk space and did not shed any light on the type of carburetor. Not too wise.

It is a simple carburetor not Multidimensional string theory --- if it is a Weber that is a simple matter too.

I will wait for the OP to clear this up.

OFM

Now I have wasted some disk space too.

 

[greencounty]

Re: Engine will not start cold

I am having what sounds like the same problem with my 1995 Dynasty Bow rider. I have a 1995 3.0 Liter Mercruiser engine (rated at ~135hp) and it is VERY hard to cold start.

If the boat has not run in 1-2 weeks, the engine will turn over but will not start without starting fluid and alot of cranking. Once with boat starts, it has no trouble as long as it runs about once every 2 days. I have not had the Carburator rebuilt but i have a feeling this is my next step.

I am very savvy with carburated automobile engines as well as fuel injected engines, but this is my first boat. Would I do myself well to take this to a shop to have it rebuilt? How much does that normally cost?

Thanks!

 

[rdtenn]

Re: Engine will not start cold

The boat is 19 foot inboard with Rochester 2barrel carb.

Somebody help me out here. What engine, what carb, SN of engine.
The only thing we know for sure is that it's a 1997 SeaRay. not even how long it is.
Who knows what's powering it. But if it's a 5.7 Mercruiser, it's not a Q-Jet, they used Webers.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine will not start cold

The boat is 19 foot inboard with Rochester 2barrel carb.

Give me a break, is there an engine under that 2 bbl carb?
Go to the link below and read........... before you post again.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=220416

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Would I do myself well to take this to a shop to have it rebuilt?

Ayuh,... It's pretty basic stuff,......
You're Way ahead of the OP,... Atleast you ID'ed the motor.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine will not start cold

Greencounty, start a thread of your own, don't hijack someone elses stread with your quesions.