A bit hard to start when on the water.........

B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Mercruiser 5.0 (1992), 2bbl rochester carb. When boat is on land (still) it starts with a tap of the starter. Driving it to the launch seems to floods the motor and makes it start hard. One day last week on the water I killed the battery trying to start it, I then noticed the choke closing on me so I wired it open, now it starts but still not as easily as it does on land (when it's still).

Sounds like a float issue? Needle and seat?

Best
Dave
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

What is your timing set at?
 
B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

Just got a timing light today so I'm going to check that this week. However, my issue doesn't seem to be that in that with a cold motor on land it starts fine..... cold motor at the launch (after being trailered), starts harder. Seems more float to me, no?
 
Doug-ole-waterdog

Doug-ole-waterdog

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
14
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

I would follow the timing and the dwell. If you have time at the ramp pull plugs and check to see if they are wet and black or dry and white/grey. Back pressure on the exhaust in the water and the load of the impeller can make a big difference in the start is the dwell and timing is off alittle.
 
B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

Thanks for explaining. I will do that. What is the best timing setting for this motor? 5 - 10 BTDC?
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

8? BTDC at 650 to 700 rpm.

You can't set dwell, you don't have points.
 
B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

Rob NC, that's what I had thought..... I'm going to try and time it first and then move toward that if the timing doesn't help any.
 
B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

That just makes it worse. If I pull the arrestor off the top and look into the carb the butterflies are soaked with gas, so I have to point at the float or something.
 
B

bluemarshboater

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
118
Re: A bit hard to start when on the water.........

Timing was set at 2 degrees retarded. I set it at 8 degrees advanced. It could still start easier. Think I'll rebuild the carb and see if that helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top