Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

[pattyson]

Hi, my baby sometimes will fire up fine the first try after sitting a month, or a day. Next day it'll almost start (kick over) then nothing.... full open crank crank till battery dies, put on charger crank crank full open till it finally starts. I think Im flooding it with a pump of the throttle. So I dont have an owners manual, and the troubling shooting in the service manuel says #1 Driver habits (instruct owner on proper procedures) buts doesnt list them. Can some one please list them.
1984 OMC 3.8L
Thanks

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

My 3.8:
I pull the throttle out and give it 1 pump. return throttle to detent.
Start it.
Let it idle a couple of minutes.
Pull the throttle back out and give it one quick pump to get the choke off.
Put it in gear and go.

9 out of 10 times it would start even if I didn't give it a pump.
If I gave it 10 pumps:
It would still start...

I suspect you need a tune up. These engines are not finicky starters.

 

[danond]

Re: Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

Vote #2 for a tuneup. Rebuild the carb, plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap, points.

 

[pattyson]

Re: Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

Well after checking it out good, I found all the wires on the starter loose.
But still... What is the ""proper starting procedure"" as outlined in the operators manual? Anyone have an owners manual out there?
I did change the plugs, wires, and oil / filter. Changing the oil helped 100%. That was in the service manual, and very correct, I also got another 200 rpm after doing all that. The boat has 293 hrs on it is that a lot? I got it last year and put 20 hrs on it in a year.
Thank you,
p

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

84 with 293 hrs VERY LOW hours. Try Throttle only pump it twice and then give it 1/3 throttle and turn key. once it starts bring rpms to 1000 till it warms up a little and then back it to an idle.

 

[edjunior]

Re: Proper starting procedure for omc 3.8L '84

84 with 293 hrs VERY LOW hours. Try Throttle only pump it twice and then give it 1/3 throttle and turn key. once it starts bring rpms to 1000 till it warms up a little and then back it to an idle.

I have an 84 5.0L, and this is just about what I do to start mine. Sometimes it takes another pump or two of the throttle, but once it fires, it's good to go. Pretty amazing for a 25 year old engine!