Trouble starting a Mercruiser 4.3L I/O

[marc5959]

Boat details below; we're new boaters. Went to ramp tonight and attempted to start boat. I followed the procedure noted in the manual and in the Bayliner video. Their info said I should push the button in at the base of the throttle stick, push the throttle stick all the way forward, and then back it off to about the 1/4 forward position; then start the boat. I did that but it wasn't turning over. After several attempts I repeated the process - again pushing the throttle lever all the way forward and then backing it off to 1/4 forward position. Still no luck. It sure sounded like it wanted to start, but it wouldn't.

So finally I pushed the throttle about 3/4 the way forward and started it. It started, but obviously it started with quite a bit of "oomph" because the throttle was 3/4 the way forward. After several seconds I backed it down to about 1/4 the way forward, and then after about 10 seconds I put it into neutral.

My questions:

1) Did I follow the right procedure?

2) Is it ok to start it when it's 3/4 the way forward?

Thanks.

Don't understand these starting methods that have the throttle at 1/4 or 3/4, mine will not even attempt to start at all if it is not in the neutral position??

 

[Scott06]

Don't understand these starting methods that have the throttle at 1/4 or 3/4, mine will not even attempt to start at all if it is not in the neutral position??

you must not be pressing the button in to rev it up in neutral.

why dont you start a new thread vs tagging on a 14 yr old one . tell us what you are working on and what issue u are trying to solve

 

[tank1949]

Don't understand these starting methods that have the throttle at 1/4 or 3/4, mine will not even attempt to start at all if it is not in the neutral position??

Lots of unknown variables. Carbureted? Does choke work? Electric or manual??? Has it electric or manual fuel pump? Does MC throttle have switch to keep motor from starting in gear? Does it work.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Don't understand these starting methods that have the throttle at 1/4 or 3/4, mine will not even attempt to start at all if it is not in the neutral position??

You have to put the controls in throttle only

 

[Buster53]

Don't understand these starting methods that have the throttle at 1/4 or 3/4, mine will not even attempt to start at all if it is not in the neutral position??

OK, the button at the bottom of the shift lever…when you push it in, it basically disengages the transmission linkage and allows you to rev the motor while still in neutral. That is its sole purpose. Are you sure you are pushing that button hard enough?