Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

[cstoaks]

After a really bad start to my boating career (refer to forum Stupid Human Tricks while boating http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2574147#post2574147)

I have decided I need some advice.

Could someone tell me the proper starting procedure for a 1988 Bayliner Capri with a 1988 85 hp Force engine?

1. Prime Engine with Bulb (How many times do you sqeeze the bulb after the bulb is full of fuel?)
2. How long do I hold the key in before turning to the start position?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Here is a procedure that I use that works well.

Squeeze the primer bulb 3 or 4 times until I feel it get firm. This indicates that the fuel bowls in the carburetors are full and the needle valves have closed preventing any flooding of the carbs.

Put the throttle control in neutral fast idle. To do so, you either have a button in the center pivot point of the control you push, or you pull the whole handle out towards the middle of the boat. The handle should come out about 1/4 of an inch. Push the control all the way forward. This is neutral fast idle.

Turn the ignition key and push in to engage the choke. I never choke more than three seconds at a time while cranking. Keep cranking and maybe hit the choke again for a second or two. If it fails, try once more. The most common mistake is to over choke. Once the motor get flooded, then it's much harder to start. Once it starts, grab the throttle and adjust the speed. Let it warm up, move the throttle back to normal idle position (straight up and down), and the throttle handle will pop back in.

It usually doesn't take more than two tries to get my motor started using this method.

 

[milehighboater]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

If the carbs are empty it takes me more than 4 pumps of the bulb. I will pump till the bulb is firm ~7 pumps. everything else is about the same though. Try not to hold the motor above 2000 RPM till it is warm. maybe a 12 dollar set of muffs is a good investment. Then you can get her going at home before you head to the lake. again stay under 2000 rpm on the muffs, they can't deliver enough water for high engine speeds for very long. good luck.

 

[cstoaks]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Thank you very much for the process. I plan on purchasing the manuals for the motor, and reading everything I can get my hands on. I will also get a garbage can to fill with water so I can start the motor before going to the lake. I have already purchased the voltage regulator spoken of in this forum stickie's and will be purchasing a new battery (old one is shot.) Looking forward to my second trip to the water!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Hopefully your second attempt in getting out on the water will be a more pleasant experience. Good Luck!

 

[cstoaks]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Thank you very much! I am sure it will be!

 

[john from md]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Always make sure your fuel bulb is squeezed until hard. Most, but not all, Force engines are cold blooded due to the design. They need a good bit of choke to get the fuel through the crankcase and into the cylinders. They also must be in fast idle when cold starting. Trying to start a cold Force at normal idle will just run your battery down.

John

 

[cstoaks]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Always make sure your fuel bulb is squeezed until hard. Most, but not all, Force engines are cold blooded due to the design. They need a good bit of choke to get the fuel through the crankcase and into the cylinders. They also must be in fast idle when cold starting. Trying to start a cold Force at normal idle will just run your battery down.

John

Thanks John! I also want to thank you for being so quick to answer my email the other day. I ordered one of those regulators to install on my engine so that my new battery won't give out on me like this one did.

 

[cstoaks]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

I got the boat started in the garage today with a barrel... I now feel pretty comfortable with the process! Thanks everyone for your help the process worked great!

 

[john from md]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

Good job!

John

 

[roscoe]

Re: Greenhorn Question Engine won't start

First trip or two should be sans wife and kids.

No kids and no wife, will keep the stress level lower until you get used to the hole boating experience.

Hope the wife is still talking to you.