3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

[thompson0604]

I am relatively new to boating and have had my 2007 Four Winns 180 with the 3.0 GL 135 hp Volvo Penta for almost a year. Ever since they replaced the carburetor due to the recall, my engine keeps dying. I have been to shop 4 times for an adjustment to the carburetor and idle and every time they say they fixed, and it started up and ran fine for them. However, when I take it out, it takes about 5 minutes to get it cranked up. When it does fire up, I let it warm up about 3 ? 5 minutes, but it still dies when I am on the water (and sometimes when I am backing it out after launching it). Runs fine while I am giving it gas, but as soon as it goes into neutral for more than a minute it dies and takes me about 2 minutes to start up again. The gas is not old. Someone told me that this is normal for carburetor engines, but for being new, I thought it would be a lot easier to start and should not die. Is this normal or should I take it back to the shop again? To start it, I pump the throttle twice and then put it back into neutral before I crank it up. If that does not get it to turn over after a couple of tries, I move the throttle forward a bit and then crank it, this usually fires it up but as soon as I put it in neutral it dies. I am starting it wrong? This has been going on for about 6 months, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

Maybe i'll get jumped for this but here goes. Have the tech. go out on the water with you. They are missing something. Do it if your still under warranty.

Yea yea I know over worked under paid short handed.

Just kidding.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

Sounds like the choke is not adjusted properly or the new carb is set up too lean at idle.

What RPM does the boat idle at when it is finally warmed up?

When you start the engine, do you warm it up at a slightly higher RPM to get it warmed up faster? You do know how to do that right? There is a button on the control that allows you to open the throttle without putting the boat in gear.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

Are you using the throttle at all when starting? It may be new, but it's not going to start like a car with EFI where you just hit the key and it starts.
When cold, you have to pump the trottle once or twice to get some gas into the engine and allow the choke to set before you crank it. Then you have to keep the rpms up a bit till it warms up.
It still sounds like the carb doesn't have the mixture set correctly, when it dies after idling for a bit. Sounds lean to me. Does it ever diesel when you shut it off? Does it idle real rough?

 

[thompson0604]

Re: 3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

Thank you for all of your help! I now start it up at a higher RPM to get it warmed up by pushing the button in the middle of the throttle; however, I may not be leaving it there long enough. Usually, When I do that and it fires up, I only leave it in throttle for about 30 seconds to a minute as I was not sure if it is good for the engine to leave it at a higher RPM for a long period of time. When I do that and put it back in neutral, it sputters and dies. After about three more attempts at doing that, it finally stays and a reverse out. So I may not be leaving in at a higher RPM to warm it up long enough. But even after I get it running and cruise around for about 20 minutes, it still dies a few times when I start it back up after sitting in the water for 20 minutes (but I start it just like a car and do not give it rev it up while starting it. Based on your responses, it is prob. user error when starting. I will take it out a couple more time, let it warm up longer, and start it with the throttle forward (after pushing the button in the middle) and see if it improves before I take it back in (but I just want to make sure I would not hurt the engine by starting it at higher RPMS). I do not want to waste the mechanics time taking it to the shop if it is my error. Thanks again for your help - Sorry, this is my first boat, but I love it and this board is great!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 GL/SX 135 hp Volvo Penta - Engine Dying

Warm up rpm's should be in the range of 1000 to 1500 rpm. Experiment to find the best for you and your engine. It may take a few minutes for your choke to open enought to idle. It may also cool off and close after you shut down for a while. Especially if it's adjusted to spec (way to tight (Rich)for my tastes) and that tends to flood them out and cause a warm engine to die.
It's a carb with a choke, like old cars and trucks before EFI.