OMC 3.0L hard to start

[robcurtiss]

I have a 1989 OMC 3.0L with a 2-bbl carb. I have fixed many a thing on this boat, from overheating to a fuel gauge and oil pressure gauge to faulty shifting...this appears to be my LAST hurdle to get it on the water!

It is a B*TCH to start! I have to crank the engine for at least 5 minutes (not consecutive) to get it to start, IF it wants to...I removed an inline automotive fuel filter from the line before the mechanical fuel pump. I do NOT have any fuel going into the relief hose. I do have gas coming up at the carb, but haven't gotten a pressure gauge on it yet. The choke was full open when the motor was cold, so I adjusted it so it is now closed when cold. I sprayed carb cleaner on all the linkages to get them to be more free. I turn the key, it tries to start then instantly dies.

HOWEVER, once it does start, it runs great.

HELP!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC 3.0L hard to start

I turn the key, it tries to start then instantly dies.

Ayuh,... It sounds like there's gas maybe gettin' To the carb, but Not gettin' Out....
Probably otta Look there...
Does it idle Ok after it starts,..??
Try splashin' a tablespoon or 2 of gas into the carb, then crank it,....
Does it Start,..?? Run,..?? Idle,..??

 

[chargerboy]

Re: OMC 3.0L hard to start

Sounds like you know what you're doing, but did you overlook the points? I had the exact same thing on my 3.0, over the winter the points corroded. I bought a 2 dollar file, cleaned them up, set them again, and the motor fired up faster than anything I ever owned before. My understanding is low rpms from cranking make things harder to run because there's less voltage flowing through. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: OMC 3.0L hard to start

Check the acelerator pump in the carb and make sure it squirts gas when you pump the throttle.