1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

[hcwalker81]

My choke is 3/4 closed and will not open or run with it closed. I put a zip tie to hold it open and it runs fine. What is causing it not to open?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

What is causing it not to open?

Hard to say from what I can see from here.
Will the choke move easily with your finger if you want to open or close it? Could be corroded and froze up.
If electric, does it have good power and ground to the choke coil?
The choke coil itself may have failed electrically.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

Just read this on your overheat thread.

1987 2.3L Omc Cobra. I had the boat out with my wife and on the way home I saw the volts dropping slowly. I thought the alternater went out so I did not stop and went back to the dock. I got the boat home check it and the belt came off, did not break just came off. Based on the rubber dust it had been off for a while.

The power for your automatic choke comes from the AC tap on the alternator. If the alternator is not working, the choke is not getting power and will not open.

 

[hcwalker81]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

I put a new belt on the alternator and it is working fine now. I am wondering since the belt came off if it could of messed up the part that opens the choke. How does it open is? Vacuum and power? Works like a plunger?

I can manually open and close the choke easy.

Just read this on your overheat thread.



The power for your automatic choke comes from the AC tap on the alternator. If the alternator is not working, the choke is not getting power and will not open.

 

[dragginanchor]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

theres a heater element in the moveable base of the unit that heats a bi-metallic spiral spring, which expands or contracts to open or close the choke plate, connected by a lever on the back of the unit.
You could check it out with a multimeter or apply 12v and see if it gets warm and the spring moves.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

I had a similar issue last year with my choke on my 2.3L. After much looking around, and frustration, I disconnected the choke. It starts fine without it in the warmer months, and in the cooler months, I may have to tip the engine shoud forward to close it manually -- I've never had to yet, but I know that if it doesn't take right off, that's what I'll have to do. After disconnecting (both the wiring and the electric choke spring) it worked fine.

It's getting harder and harder to find Ford parts for the marine application.

 

[hcwalker81]

Re: 1987 2.3L Omc Choke stuck closed.

I still have mine tied open, starting up good. As long as it keeps it up i am not going to bother with the head ache.

Josh

I had a similar issue last year with my choke on my 2.3L. After much looking around, and frustration, I disconnected the choke. It starts fine without it in the warmer months, and in the cooler months, I may have to tip the engine shoud forward to close it manually -- I've never had to yet, but I know that if it doesn't take right off, that's what I'll have to do. After disconnecting (both the wiring and the electric choke spring) it worked fine.

It's getting harder and harder to find Ford parts for the marine application.