1989 Chaparral, 5.7L merc with Thunderbolt ignition, 4bbl Rochester.
I had my carb rebuilt last year and just had the carb adjusted again by my local mechanic at the lake. The boat runs great but I'm still having times where it takes a long time to start. Sometimes it will start with just a bump of the key and sometimes I have to crank and put the throttle all the way forward, then it lugs and black smoke comes out of the exhaust until the engine smooths out. It sure seems choke related but the mechanic says the choke is perfect and don't touch it. I know my timing is good. How long does a coil last? It is probably the original coil. I haven't changed plugs in a couple seasons, but only put maybe 50 hours on my boat last year. I probably could do a complete tune up, plugs, wires, rotor, cap but should I think about replacing the coil also or is it one of those things that if its working its working and don't replace it unless it goes out. Sure would like to be able to just bump the key every time. Thanks for the responses!
I had my carb rebuilt last year and just had the carb adjusted again by my local mechanic at the lake. The boat runs great but I'm still having times where it takes a long time to start. Sometimes it will start with just a bump of the key and sometimes I have to crank and put the throttle all the way forward, then it lugs and black smoke comes out of the exhaust until the engine smooths out. It sure seems choke related but the mechanic says the choke is perfect and don't touch it. I know my timing is good. How long does a coil last? It is probably the original coil. I haven't changed plugs in a couple seasons, but only put maybe 50 hours on my boat last year. I probably could do a complete tune up, plugs, wires, rotor, cap but should I think about replacing the coil also or is it one of those things that if its working its working and don't replace it unless it goes out. Sure would like to be able to just bump the key every time. Thanks for the responses!