Hard to start, or normal?

[Devveon]

I just had a look at a boat with twin 5.7L magnums, it had been sitting for a few day without running. When we started it up, the first engine started after probably 10s or so, the second took probably over 30s, before it started. Is that normal?

The boat and engines where from 1989?

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard to start, or normal?

Neither one should take even 10 seconds of cranking. Are you using the throttle or just leaving it in neutral and idle?

 

[Devveon]

Re: Hard to start, or normal?

When he started it, he pumped slightly, then some throttle.
When it started, it had been pumped some more and with more throttle.

Once started it ran fine, and restarting it was no problem at all...

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard to start, or normal?

When cold, put the shifter in the throttle only position, then go to full throttle and back a time or two, put the lever at quarter to half throttle and start it. Pull back to idle so it doesn't over rev.
It's a carb, not EFI like your car. Experiment with it a bit and find the best way to start it. You also need to have a good tuneup, the choke and carb working correctly.

 

[Devveon]

Re: Hard to start, or normal?

Thanks,
I looked at the boat today again. The port engine started right up when doing what you suggested, the starboard engine was still really hard to start.
During a quick sea trial the engines did not get up to any higher RPMs. They thought that the carburetors needed to be adjusted (They had just rebuilt the carbs). So I will go back later, and we will see...

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard to start, or normal?

Probably ought to keep looking for a boat. Sounds like they want to get rid of their problem because they can't find it, or it's more than they want to talk about.