Starting Issue

[Tommyd13]

Boat will start but only when you give the carb some gas. I have a 2005 Mariah with 4.3L Merc and stock carb. Only had this boat about a week and a half and when I test drove it before I bought it would start right up. But, he had the idle way up and I turned it down to 900 RPM at idle. Any ideas on what I should or need to do to get the boat to start when I turn the key?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Congrats on a new boat. First thing you need do though is ALL the maintenance items. You cannot trust, even a little, that any of it was done by someone who was tired of it and wanting to sell. It's a good bet you will save a bundle doing all the regular maintenance.

Part of that is going to be inspect all the fuel system, replace the filter and the water separator canister. With it not running right, I'd bet the carburetor needs a cleaning and rebuild.

Get the Mercruiser manual for your motor and drive and go to it. You'll be a lot happier and your wallet less strained.

 

[Tommyd13]

I have already done all of that. Just need to know where I could go from here on the starting issue. Hoping there was a simple fix to it all.

 

[GA_Boater]

Is the choke closed when cold starting.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Take it out of gear and advance the throttle a teensy bit when starting. Alternatively, if it doesn't restart at idle when warm, redo your carburetor rebuild making certain all the idle circuits are perfectly clean.

 

[Bondo]

Boat will start but only when you give the carb some gas.

Ayuh,..... That's how carbs work,...... it ain't Efi,.....

 

[nola mike]

What's your starting procedure? You should put it in neutral, pump the gas all the way twice. This sets the choke and primes with a bit of gas. Move throttle back to 1/4 or so and turn the key... should start after a couple of rotations at worst.

 

[Tommyd13]

It does it whether it is cold or warm. But interestingly will start on the hose at home without having to give it gas.

 

[alldodge]

he had the idle way up and I turned it down to 900 RPM at idle.

Bet you can hear a loud clunk when putting in gear. Idle should be 650 rpm with ignition in base timing mode

You need some carb work/adjustment. Might even have a vacuum leak or low compression if it will not idle lower