Starts but will only run for a short time....

[imported_Chris R]

1977 mercruiser 898 just replaced all ignition components;cap,rotor,points,coil etc., reset timing,it will fire right up but will only stay running a minute or two then dies triedto adjust the idle on the holley 4 barrel but it doesn't seem to make any difference. i'm suspicious that it is a regular auto carb and its on an edlebrock intake. occaisionally the carb will backfire a puff of smoke as it dies. does this sound like a carb related problem? or is this a symtom of somethingelse?

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

A short time means what? Mine was doing that when the ignition module was going bad but you say yours has points. Mine would die as the ignition module warmed up. Your sounds like it might be running out of gas. If your getting a spark, fuel, compression, and air the motor should run.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

Chris, If the boat is not in the water are you
!. putting the outdrive all the way down
2. running water on muffs.
there is a switch to stop the motor if the drive is raised.
take a look here
http://www.sterndrives.com/no_start_condition.html

 

[Don S]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

2. running water on muffs.
there is a switch to stop the motor if the drive is raised.
take a look here

I'm not sure what you read in that link you gave, but there is NOT a switch to keep the engine from running when the drive is up too far.

 

[imported_Chris R]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

Chris, If the boat is not in the water are you
!. putting the outdrive all the way down
2. running water on muffs.
there is a switch to stop the motor if the drive is raised.
take a look here
http://www.sterndrives.com/no_start_condition.html

ive never needed the drive lowered in order to start it before, and i've tried it both ways on the muffs and on the water last night.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

Chris, when it's running, is it just at low idle? IF so, you may want to bump the trottle up to around 12 to 1500 rpm to warm up until the choke opens. Otherwise it will just load up and die. Unlike an EFI engine a carbed engine takes a little finese to get going when cold.

 

[imported_Chris R]

Re: Starts but will only run for a short time....

Chris, when it's running, is it just at low idle? IF so, you may want to bump the trottle up to around 12 to 1500 rpm to warm up until the choke opens. Otherwise it will just load up and die. Unlike an EFI engine a carbed engine takes a little finese to get going when cold.

it runs about 1100, the choke is always open, i can't seem to find anything controlling the choke, i know from the wiring diagram i have the original 2 barrel carb had electric choke,but this holley doesn't seem to have anything other than the lean knob.