What's wrong with my 88 special?

[MDeVito]

I have a 1995 88 special that will not always start up right away even after being run for awhile. I just had the carbs cleaned, check the compression, etc. What could be my problem?

 

[OBJ]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Try pumping up the primer bulb again after shutting down and setting a while. If she kicks over, one of the valves in the bulb may have failed and let the fuel drain back to the tank. Also check for lose connections in the fuel lines that could cause air to be sucked in.

 

[MDeVito]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

I just put a brand new bulb on there so I dont think it could be that. Could it be something to do with the plug-wires?

 

[reeldutch]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

How is your compression.<br />Hard starting could be a sign for a bad cylinder.<br />gap the plugs at .40<br /><br />reeldutch

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Try making sure the ground wire from the battery to the engine block is clean and tight and the ignition wires are the same. Sometimes they look good but aren't actually making the best ground.

 

[OBJ]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

MD....was this a problem BEFORE you had the carbs overhauled? Did you also check the sync and link after carb intstallation?<br /><br />Good ID by reeldutch....check the compression. Even if it's OK, you've got a reference for future use. The .040 gap will help the idle.....once you get her running.<br /><br />I kinda' still think it's a gas flow problem.

 

[MDeVito]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Compression is good, it could possibly be a fuel problem, but not from the tank to the motor disconnect - everything is new. I will check the gap on the plugs. It also will stall out sometimes when in idle forward or reverse. I dont know if that helps any. Thanks

 

[AtlDawg]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Might be off the mark but do you have an electric choke or an electric primer? If I flip the red lever on the primer, it is sometimes hard to start?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

I have a 1995 88 special that will not always start up right away even after being run for awhile.

So, can we assume that once it's running, it runs well, except for low speed and starting??

 

[MDeVito]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Yes, Rick once it is started, which by the way could take three to five turns of the key, it runs well except at idle speeds. I do have a choke, all i have to do is push in the key. I am not sure if that is electric or not.

 

[OBJ]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Well....could be a simple sync and link problem for the idle or possibly the idle is set to low which would cause you to stall out.<br /><br />I had a friends 88spl that was doing darn near the same thing. Ended up dropping the idle air jets down two sizes. Didn't have any more cold start problems.<br /><br />MD....by chance did you check the primer to see if it was working OK on cold starts or just flip the red lever to manual and try starting without pushing in the key?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

Also, check the low speed settings on the carbs. Lightly seat each idle mixture screw and back them all out 2 full turns and go from there. You could be running lean, which would cause your problem...The lync and sync is a must, if it has not been done, As OBJ said...

 

[MDeVito]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

OB, what and where is the primer? Also lync and sync?

 

[MDeVito]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

What is the lync and sync?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: What's wrong with my 88 special?

"link and sync" is wrench speak for proper synchronization of the linkage between the carbs and the ignition timing advancement arm. Need manual as they are all a little different.