Bayliner 1950 turns over but won't start

[johnnyl5]

Good day all,

I recently purchased a 1995 bayliner 1950 with a mercruiser 3.0lx. The boat didn't run when I purchased it but all it needed was a new starter which I replaced. The wife and I took her out on the lake this weekend and she ran perfect. When I got home I went to start the boat but it wouldn't start (muffs were connected). I thought maybe the gas gauge was broken so I put some more gas in the tank but nothing. She turns over and shakes like it wants to start but its a no go. Some smoke does come out of the exhaust. I made sure the kill switch was in the run position. She's not sitting on the trailer perfectly level but I can't imagine that has anything to do with it. Any advice would be appreciated. I just can't imagine what could have gone wrong in the hour from leaving the lake and getting home and trying to start.

[Bond-o]

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Are the spark plugs, Sparkin',..??

[caddylover]

fuel pump?

[johnnyl5]

Well, I got her going. I sprayed a little starter fluid into the carb and she started. I know that's a no-no but I thought it was worth a shot. She ran a little rough and required a little throttle to stay going for a minute but leveled off and ran fine. I started it again an hour later and once again she started a little rough. I am thinking the carb might need a cleaning/rebuild. That or the gas in the tank is no good. Any opinions? Don't want to be out on the water and have this happen!

Thanks for the replies.

[Silvertip]

So what is your starting procedure? You do know about the neutral fast idle release and that you need to pump the throttle (with the neutral release) engaged for cold starts. And you might also check that the choke is working. If it started with a shot of ether then that would be the first thing to look at.

[johnnyl5]

How embarrassing! I did not know about the nuetral release. Growing up we had an old sunbird which to my knowledge did not have a nuetral release. This certainly made starting easier although it still starts a little rougher than it had been. I will check the choke. Prior to my issue all I would do is turn the key and she would start right up. Thanks to everyone for your replies.

[dingdongs]

treat it to a service as it may need plugs ,leads and cap replacing as may be past their sell by date.a new impellor is an annual service item and will save an expensive overheat if it fails.

[Don S]

Prior to my issue all I would do is turn the key and she would start right up. Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Carbs take some work.

With a cold engine, Put the shifter in throttle only mode, pump the trottle to wide open throttle a time or two, leave the lever at 1/4 throttle and start it. Then let it warm up at 1200 to 1500 rpm for a couple minutes.
May take 1 pump to start, may take 3. May take 1/8 throttle, may take more. Find out what YOUR engine wants.

Warm engine will be completely different. Probably just a little throttle and no pumping.