Hard to start when warm....

Big Fish Billy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
301
Going to look at a center console with a 90hp, fellow says starts fine when cold, but hard starting when warm. Is there a few things to look for in this case?

Thanks,

Bill
 

Jiggz

Captain
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
3,909
Re: Hard to start when warm....

Usually it is the otherway around, hard to start when cold. In this case, you will have to diagnose when the problem exists, i.e. when warm and not starting. Check for sparks first and if there is sparks, spray fuel mix into the carbs and see if it starts quicker. If there is no spark, it will mean a long diagnosis will be required to isolate the problem. If there is spark, fuel related problems are much easier to diagnose. If it is a spark problem you might want to reconsider unless the price is really good.
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: Hard to start when warm....

Don't forget to do a compression check too.
 

Big Fish Billy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
301
Re: Hard to start when warm....

Thanks guys, I'm hoping it's fuel related, flooding or whatever, my Tohatsu 9.8 floods pretty easy. I'm going to run it and try to duplicate the problem before I buy. I'll do compression too.
 
Last edited:

MickLovin

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
822
Re: Hard to start when warm....

You mentioned it is hard to start when warm/hot but not cold, make sure you don't have a temperature problem. I would be getting it warm/running temperature, then check it's temp when running. As well as all the things already mentioned above. It may be just a float issue in the carbs or a spark plug breaking down.
Remember, it may be harder to duplicate the exact problem if it isn't on the water!!
 

Big Fish Billy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
301
Re: Hard to start when warm....

I went for a look at it today, the whole shebang is quite a mess, I likely won't pursue it....
 

Big Fish Billy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
301
Re: Hard to start when warm....

The guy "forgot" to cover it for the Winter...about a foot of leaves and ice in the boat and all the compartments. Deep enough to cover the batteries. Engine left frozen into his rinse bucket. 3 inches of ice inside the engine cowl, amazing 135 pounds compression all around, Mickey Mouse fiberglass repairs all over, what showed of the floor was spongy, rub rail buckled, trailer rotted, looks like the engine spent some time on the bottom of the Cape Cod Canal...but he was still hanging tough at $6,000...I think I'll let him keep it.

20' center console
 

MickLovin

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
822
Re: Hard to start when warm....

Your $6000 is about $6550, and if it has a rotted floor and the motor has been in-cased in ice, I doubt I would be bothered spending the time to get it to where it should be. Plenty of fish in the sea Big Fish :facepalm:
 
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