embarassed on my first trip

[sgtsteve]

What's up dudes? Just so you know I am new to boating. Lost my virginity to 1 mile plus waters last weekend. I need some advice on the following situation:

I recently purchased a 1982 Cobia 228 Odyssey 21' CC with a 350 I/O. It's in great shape for its age, but I was very hesitant to buy it because I didn't want to deal with an unreliable engine. When I first went to look at the boat, the seller started it up and it popped right off no problem. After buying it I took it home and hooked it up to the hose and started it. Again it started first try no warm up.

At this point I am fairly excited to get it on the water, so I called a few friends and took it to St. Marks Bay. I had to haul it down some bumpy roads to get it there. When I got it in the water, with all my friends and a bunch of strangers watching, it wouldn't start. I tried and tried. Finally, I pulled it out of the water and tried again. Ill be dammed if it didn't start right up.

So, feeling like I fixed the problem with my PFM, I put it back in the water (keep in mind I wasn't getting much help from my friends launching this 21' boat). I turn the key, and it won't start again. its turning over, but no fire.

So I hook it up, pull it out until the motor is out of the water and try again. I starts on the first try. This time I left it running as I launched it.

After that it ran fine the rest of the day. I went for miles, stopped a few times and every time it started right back up. Even after sitting for an hour or so. Ran perfect. When I got it back home I hooked it up to the hose to run some water through it and it did it again. I ended up pumping the bubble on the gas line 3 or 4 times and after a few tries it started. Has anyone ever had this problem? is it something I should be concerned about, or is this normal for an older engine? Thanks for any advice.

 

[mkast]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

I starts on the first try. This time I left it running as I launched it.

I ended up pumping the bubble on the gas line 3 or 4 times and after a few tries it started.

If the boat has an Alpha drive, the impeller will have to be replaced. Engine running without water to the drive will melt the impeller.
Most I/O's don't use a bulb on the fuel line, something about an engine driven fuel pump.

 

[Don S]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

Do you use the throttle at all when starting the engine?

 

[Icyharp]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

I too assume you have an Alpha Drive, replace the impeller, and also agree that having a bulb on the fuel line is an issue, hope you didn't put it on. I would suspect the fuel pump is having a few issues.

As for the throttle you never stated what you do with it prior to turning the key.

 

[nikon]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

I have a bulb on my IO...makes the first start much easier when you don't have to crank and crank to fill the damn carb up...give the throttle a few pumps before you start it should fire right up.

 

[mkast]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

you don't have to crank and crank to fill the damn carb up

If you have to fill a carburetor up, you have a problem.

 

[Icyharp]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

If you have to fill a carburetor up, you have a problem.

Ya if you use a bulb on an I/O you have issues to start with, and if you have to fill the bowl up means you for sure have an issue - I would be wondering why my fuel returns to the tank, maybe, if it were mine. Think of having a carburated car and having to squeeze a bulb everytime to start it cause the bowl went dry, you would have fixed it first, same should go with you boat.

 

[sgtsteve]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

I tried starting with the throttle down and with it at about 50%. I don't know why there is a bubble. I am used to little outboards so it didn't look out of place to me. I will check out the Alpha drive, and the fuel pump. Thanks for the feed back.

 

[nikon]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

If you have to fill a carburetor up, you have a problem.

Not every start...after sitting for a week or two though, it helps. Bowl doesn't go completely dry, but enough that I would have to crank for 4-5 seconds...with the primer it's instant.

 

[Don S]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

Have you tried moving the throttle all the way to WOT a time, maybe 2 then to 1/4 throttle and see if it starts.
If you need a primer bulb, you have a problem. Period.

 

[mkast]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

Not every start...after sitting for a week or two though, it helps. Bowl doesn't go completely dry, but enough that I would have to crank for 4-5 seconds...with the primer it's instant.

Let's see, the boat was shipped without a bulb, why is one present on your boat?

 

[sgtsteve]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

OK I am definately having to prime it to get it to start on the first try. I assume thats why the previous owner put a bulb on there. Is the fuel pump supposed to prime the engine? Or am I just having some kind of ignition problem? Thanks again

 

[nikon]

Re: embarassed on my first trip

Let's see, the boat was shipped without a bulb, why is one present on your boat?

I will say this, I had put the bulb on there when it still had the original carb, which I did have problems with and needed the bulb to get her to fire up...

I've now put on a edelbrock and have just kind of continued with the routine I got used to, it may be just fine....never tried it to be honest with you.