Engine will not start cold

Apollo75

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
272
Re: Engine will not start cold

It has a Rochester 2Barrel carburetor. I was in the
car/truck repair business ofr over 45 years prior to retirment and I know what
you are saying about the plugs leaking but when they leak you see some stains or whatever, right? When this carb was taken off and cleaned and overhauled no evidence of leaking plugs even though my technician did reseal as insurance with JB weld. The original issue of not starting cold was the reason we removed the carburetor and had it overhauled.

What do you all think about installing a "momentary" swith push button type
wired into the fuel pump so it can be pushed and the fuel pump will pump gas to the bowl so it will start? Does this make any sense or is it dangerous. Any
suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks,
RDTENN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You stated the engine runs well when finally started --- I will assume accelerator pump works as you did not mention a hesitation when accelerating.

Jb-weld is good stuff --- works okay on the outside of the plugs before the
plugs start leaking --- once they start leaking the plugs need to be removed and re-installed with a fuel resistant epoxy.

As usual verify proper choke operation.

To verify no fuel in bowl ---> I would remove the carburetor top and check for
fuel --- then put two screws back in and start it ---- shut it down and remove the top again to verify correct fuel level ---- while you are there maybe install a alcohol resistant pump cup if not installed with the rebuild.

If the carburetor was dry of fuel before starting after a couple of days ---> then the fuel is leaking out of the bowl somewhere and the carburetor needs to be removed, inspected, and pressure tested the same as in the article with the Q-jet.

If the fuel level is low ---> then this small amount of fuel may not be enough for the accelerator pump with some evaporation in a few days depending on the angle of the boat. Check float level.

My electric fuel pump will not start until oil pressure is up --> my oil pressure comes up enough at engine cranking speed to start fuel pump. I would not interfere with this safety feature. I would try to find and fix the problem. :)

Best of luck

OFM

-------------------------------------------------------------------
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,548
Re: Engine will not start cold

What do you all think about installing a "momentary" swith push button type wired into the fuel pump so it can be pushed and the fuel pump will pump gas to the bowl so it will start? Does this make any sense or is it dangerous. Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Adding a momentary switch wouldn't hurt anything but the best thing to do is to solve the problem you have.
 

renny1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Messages
219
Re: Engine will not start cold

just wanna add my pennies worth....i had this problem for months and had to put fuel in the carb throat to start engine..merc 120hp..... ran all day off the key fine figured out what it was when i changed engine and it was the fuel pump installed upside down
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

I have a SeaRay 1997 model with a carburetor with very few hours on it. I cannot get the engine to start after it has set for one week or more without using starting fluid. I have had the carburetor cleaned and overhauled, I have had it tuned up to include new spark plugs etc. I use fuel conditioner at the end of the year and properly maintain the engine. I have also replaced the oil pressure switch as well as the fuel pump relay/switch. When I remove the air cleaner and move the throttle back and forth a couple of times gas does not spray into the carburetor. Once I use starting fluid and get it started it runs fine and will restart very easily as long it does not set for a couple of days. It seems the gas is evaporating out of the carburetor. When the carb was cleaned/overhauled with all the new parts in the kits the plugs at the bottom of the carburetor were resealed. Any info or suggestions you may have would be appreciated.

Since I have done everything and I am convinced that fuel is either evaportationg or leaking from the carb. bowl, if I install a momentary switch wired into the fuel pump and fused of course i could push the switch button for a few seconds for the fuel pump to pump fuel into the carburetor, I bet it would then start run fine since it will start and run by using starting fluid. If I do this and run the fuel blower will this be o.k. or safe do you think? I would appreicate any and all replies.

Thanks,
RDTENN
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,995
Re: Engine will not start cold

If I do this and run the fuel blower will this be o.k.

Ayuh,... You won't be the 1st 1 to use that work-around for a leaky carb bowl....
Probably not the last either...

Btw,... Get rid of the Starting Fluid,.... Use Gas...
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

Are you using the proper starting procedures for a carbed engine?
Describe your process for starting a cold engine?
'''


The first thing I do is move the throttle lever forward and backwards at least two times to set the automatic choke, I have verified the choke is closing all the way. You can hear the carb. trying to pump fuel into the carb. but no fuel is spraying, only air evidently. Then we move the throttle some more and still no fuel spray....Once I use starter fluid the engine will start and run fine and then it will restart fine until the boat sits for a couple of days and then the same issue again. I was in the automotive repair business for over 40 years so I basically understand 2 barrel Rochester carbs. (or at least I thought I did!) I understand starter fluid is a no no to use and I guess I am lucky that I have no already done damage since I have used an entire can this summer. I have checked the fuel pump pressure it is good, I have replaced the oil sending unit and the fuel pump switch. I have a friend that has overhauled carbs. for over 30 years (automotive however) to overhaul the carb. he cleaned it, replaced all the parts in the kit and sealed the plugs on the bottom and reinstalled and adjusted the carb. Still it will not start without starting fluid. My friend suggests installing a "momentary" switch with a push button on the dash that can be pushed and as long as it is pushed in it will make the fuel pump run and put fuel manually in the carb bowl. Of course we would run the fume blower during this process and we would protect this circuit with a 20 amp fuse. I feel this will solve the problem but not sure of the safety of such, what do you think? It must have a problem but so far have not been able to isolate it. Would this be a safe and viable fix? Would appreciate your comments and any suggestions you may have.

Regards,
rdtenn
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

Describe your process for starting a cold engine?

'''


The first thing I do is move the throttle lever forward and backwards at least two times to set the automatic choke, I have verified the choke is closing all the way. You can hear the carb. trying to pump fuel into the carb. but no fuel is spraying, only air evidently. Then we move the throttle some more and still no fuel spray....Once I use starter fluid the engine will start and run fine and then it will restart fine until the boat sits for a couple of days and then the same issue again. I was in the automotive repair business for over 40 years so I basically understand 2 barrel Rochester carbs. (or at least I thought I did!) I understand starter fluid is a no no to use and I guess I am lucky that I have no already done damage since I have used an entire can this summer. I have checked the fuel pump pressure it is good, I have replaced the oil sending unit and the fuel pump switch. I have a friend that has overhauled carbs. for over 30 years (automotive however) to overhaul the carb. he cleaned it, replaced all the parts in the kit and sealed the plugs on the bottom and reinstalled and adjusted the carb. Still it will not start without starting fluid. My friend suggests installing a "momentary" switch with a push button on the dash that can be pushed and as long as it is pushed in it will make the fuel pump run and put fuel manually in the carb bowl. Of course we would run the fume blower during this process and we would protect this circuit with a 20 amp fuse. I feel this will solve the problem but not sure of the safety of such, what do you think? It must have a problem but so far have not been able to isolate it. Would this be a safe and viable fix? Would appreciate your comments and any suggestions you may have.

Regards,
rdtenn
 

Knightgang

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
1,428
Re: Engine will not start cold

The carb is leaking somewhere. I think you should find that and fix it. You did say that JB Weld was used to seal the plugs. I suspect that is the issue. I feel that you should replace the plugs and seal them with a fuel resistance sealer.

Your monentary switch idea will work as a workaround and should be safe, however the issue still remains that there is a fuel leak from teh carb and it needs to be fixed...
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

The carburetor is actually a mercard and the engine is a 4.3.....the plugs showed NO sign of leaking either before or after the carburetor overhaul...anyone ever heard of a fuel cut off switch, I am not sure what it does or where it is located, does anyone know or could this be the problem?

Thanks
RDTENN


The first thing I do is move the throttle lever forward and backwards at least two times to set the automatic choke, I have verified the choke is closing all the way. You can hear the carb. trying to pump fuel into the carb. but no fuel is spraying, only air evidently. Then we move the throttle some more and still no fuel spray....Once I use starter fluid the engine will start and run fine and then it will restart fine until the boat sits for a couple of days and then the same issue again. I was in the automotive repair business for over 40 years so I basically understand 2 barrel Rochester carbs. (or at least I thought I did!) I understand starter fluid is a no no to use and I guess I am lucky that I have no already done damage since I have used an entire can this summer. I have checked the fuel pump pressure it is good, I have replaced the oil sending unit and the fuel pump switch. I have a friend that has overhauled carbs. for over 30 years (automotive however) to overhaul the carb. he cleaned it, replaced all the parts in the kit and sealed the plugs on the bottom and reinstalled and adjusted the carb. Still it will not start without starting fluid. My friend suggests installing a "momentary" switch with a push button on the dash that can be pushed and as long as it is pushed in it will make the fuel pump run and put fuel manually in the carb bowl. Of course we would run the fume blower during this process and we would protect this circuit with a 20 amp fuse. I feel this will solve the problem but not sure of the safety of such, what do you think? It must have a problem but so far have not been able to isolate it. Would this be a safe and viable fix? Would appreciate your comments and any suggestions you may have.

Regards,
rdtenn[/QUOTE]
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

I have determined that maybe the wiring connector is bad at the electric fuel pump, I can jiggle the connector while trying to start and then the fuel pump will run. Anyone have any idea where I can get a fuel pump wiring connector without buying a complete wiring harness? This is a 1997 Sea Ray, 2 barrel Rochester carburetor, and a 4.3 engine. Any info will be appreciated.

rdtenn
 

rdtenn

Cadet
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Engine will not start cold

Finally I replaced the fuel pump and the engine cranks fine now when cold.
 
Top